In class, we’ve been learning about the different revenue streams for independent journalists: small donors, large donors or advertisements.
In a recent study, conducted by professors at the University of San Diego, research has found that children fail to recognize online advertisements.
Considering how dependent some independent (see what I did there?) journalists are on these ads, I was wondering the implications of the fact that people have a hard time deciphering the ads from the content.
Granted, this research was done with children, but there may be adults that face the same problem. It reminded of Professor Jacobson’s woes when his site featured an ad for Obama. When people confuse the ads with the content, does it take away from the independence of the outlet?
Independent Media 