This reminds me so much of the book Manufacturing Consent. One sounds like a crazy person when they say elite powers (indirectly) control the mass media, but after reading most of that book, the conclusion is inescapable.
Of course news outlets self-censor, they don't want to get shut out. Of course they play up victims of atrocities caused by our enemies, and largely ignore victims of atrocities caused by the United States and its allies. Of course media sources shy away from reporting on stories that would harm their owners or advertising dollars. Of course they use official press advisers and PR people, who they talk to every day and who understand how the industry works. Of course they use neatly packaged press releases when they're on tight budgets and deadlines. Of course they don't take the time to report all sides of a complex issue, if some sides are neatly presented, and opposing sides take days of research.
Of course news outlets self-censor, they don't want to get shut out. Of course they play up victims of atrocities caused by our enemies, and largely ignore victims of atrocities caused by the United States and its allies. Of course media sources shy away from reporting on stories that would harm their owners or advertising dollars. Of course they use official press advisers and PR people, who they talk to every day and who understand how the industry works. Of course they use neatly packaged press releases when they're on tight budgets and deadlines. Of course they don't take the time to report all sides of a complex issue, if some sides are neatly presented, and opposing sides take days of research.