What are the differences between public and private media?

Public and private media are two distinct types of media outlets found throughout California. Public media outlets are funded by the government and serve as a source of news and information for the general public. Examples of public media outlets are PBS, NPR, and the Public Broadcasting Service. Private media outlets are not funded or otherwise supported by the government and provide news and information primarily to generate a profit. Examples of private media outlets are networks such as ABC, CBS, and NBC as well as cable and satellite companies. Public media outlets are typically independent of any political, corporate, or any other form of influence. Their primary purpose is to provide factual and educational news and information, so they may devote more time to stories of public interest, to stories overlooked by other media outlets, and to stories that involve the public’s right to know. Private media outlets typically rely on commercial advertising, so their main motivation is to increase viewership, which is necessary to attract and retain advertisers. Private media outlets may also be politically connected, so they are more likely to focus on stories that are popular with the public, including celebrity news, sports, and entertainment. Though both public and private media outlets may provide news and information, they serve different purposes and often focus on different topics. As a result, the public is provided with a diverse range of sources from which they can receive news and information.

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What are the differences between public and private media?

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