NBC News Trims DEI, Keeps Lobbyist-Funded 'Insight'
NBC News, a division of Comcast (which posted $121.4B in revenue in 2023), decided that specialist desks covering marginalized communities were, shall we say, 'less critical' than general reporting. The Independent reports that out of nine impacted staffers, only five *might* be reassigned to general newsroom roles. One might wonder if this 'restructuring' coincides with a push for a more
homogenized narrative, particularly as major media outlets continuously funnel millions into lobbying efforts that often align with corporate rather than community interests. While NBC streamlines its diverse reporting, the revolving door between corporate media, think tanks, and lobbying firms continues to spin. For instance, the US Chamber of Commerce spent nearly $80M on lobbying in 2023 alone,
influencing everything from economic policy to media narratives. It appears that 'essential' journalism is defined by what best serves established power, not by who needs to be heard. Apparently, DEI is what gets cut, while access journalism to power brokers remains sacrosanct.