In 1928 photographer strapped camera to his leg and took photo of Ruth Snyder being electrocuted at Sing Sing. She had conspired to kill her husband. Ran front page. In 1900 most U.S. dailies were independently owned. Today chains account for four-fifths of daily newspaper circulation.
Most media conglomerates have interests in both print and broadcasting.
In 1982, Ben Bagdikian found that 50 corporations controlled more than half of the media business. By 1992, the number had shrunk to 23. N.Y. Times owns 31. Editor Charles Dana said journalism consists of buying white paper at two cents a pound and selling it at ten cents a pound. In 1990 at least four media execs.