Floodlight found that Alabama Power finances news sources and maintains financial links with media companies. The utility founded the Alabama News Center and bought the Birmingham Times, a Black newspaper. These outlets rarely cover Alabama Power, which leads to a lack of coverage on environmental issues and rate hikes.
Photo from Floodlight
Alabama Power’s Media Grip: Lack of Coverage on Rate Hikes
The research shows how special groups utilize the shrinking reach of U.S. newsrooms to develop politically motivated “pink slime” news sites and secretive utilities-created news channels that target opponents. Alabama residents need to know more about crucial issues due to the power companies’ influence on news outlets.
The Alabama Power Foundation funds the Birmingham Times, which reprints Alabama News Center and press release pieces. The analysis shows that these publications typically cover the electricity provider positively.
Alabama Power received three straight power rate increases in 2022, but neither the Birmingham Times nor the Alabama News Center published them. Alabama residents, who have the highest monthly power bills in the U.S., were unaware of the rate adjustments that considerably increased their prices.
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Concerns Over Transparency and Independence
The lack of investigative research and in-depth coverage shows Alabama Power’s grip over news channels has muted critical voices. Alabama Power’s proactive approach, including internet and broadcast advertising purchasing power, helps media ignore or downplay bad reports. The inquiry also reveals the company’s hidden hire of a consulting firm to buy positive press coverage in Alabama news sources. Special interests like Alabama Power can influence public narratives due to the collapse of traditional newsrooms and hundreds of reporter layoffs in the past decade.
The Floodlight study emphasizes the need for free, independent media without financial ties that impair journalism. The lack of critical coverage on Alabama Power issues raises questions about openness, accountability, and residents’ ability to make educated decisions about their lives.
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