Parasite or Partner? Coverage of Google News in an Era of News Aggregation

Abstract

With online news aggregators outperforming most traditional media sites, some news executives have accused Google News of stealing their content, even as they rely on Google for exposure. Through a content analysis, this study examines how leading traditional news providers and trade publications, during the 2007-2010 financial shock for U.S. newspapers, covered the newspaper industry’s delicate relationship with Google. Results indicate that such coverage de-emphasized the non-advertising nature of Google News, ignored readers’ views, and used emotion-laden language (e.g., sensational accusations against Google of “stealing” newspaper content or being a “parasite”). Although Google was often portrayed as the enemy, most coverage suggested that newspapers should work with Google, pointing to the challenge of assessing Google’s role in an unfolding era of news aggregation.