Corporate news is information about a company, including announcements and developments, that is published in a journalistic context. It can be published in newspapers, on radio and television, or online. It is often perceived to be biased and unreliable, but it can also be useful for businesses seeking to promote their brands or products.
A core principle of journalism has long been that there should be a clear line between the editorial functions of a media organization and its advertising department. This is meant to prevent a desire for profits from leading to the distortion or concealment of information. However, when a media outlet is owned by a corporation, it can seem as though this line may be blurred or even completely faded away. The highest priority for any corporation is to maximize its profit on behalf of its shareholders, and so the news that is reported may take a backseat to profitability.
This concern is especially valid when it comes to local news outlets that are subjected to corporate buyouts. It is expensive to operate a newspaper, television or radio station, and these expenses must be subsidized by subscriptions and advertisers. The result has been that many local media outlets have struggled to stay afloat, and they become an easy target for consolidation by larger corporations. In the past, large U.S. media organizations have been documented by the organization Fairness and Accuracy in Reporting to have largely uncritically supported the war in Iraq and downplayed citizen opposition.