Question
Topic: Summarize the topic or prompt in your own words.
Initial Opinion: What is your initial opinion on this topic? Why?
Perspective: Summarize each perspective in your own words.
Refined Claim:
Reconsider your initial opinion with the perspectives, and create a claim that addresses the prompt.
Thesis Statement: Write a thesis statement that answers the prompt and includes three supporting points.
With the rise of the internet, people now expect their news for free. Paying a few dollars per paper, or even a small fee for an online subscription, is a dying practice. With the countless outlets providing free news to people with an internet connection, the idea of paying money for information is rapidly falling out of favor. But at what price to the reader? Free internet news is supported by advertising the more clicks it receives, the more money the publisher makes.
This practice can lead to favoring the sensational over the important. Internet audiences will more reliably click on the latest celebrity gossip than they will on articles pertaining to important tax reform. Worse, in many cases, the news itself can be paid for by advertisers, who publish
"sponsored content" that looks like news, but is really just an ad for their products or services. Is the reduced cost of our news worth the potential drawbacks in its quality?
Perspective One:
The news should be free. As global citizens, it's our job to stay informed from a wide variety of sources. You shouldn't have to pay for that right. Free news democratizes the world of information and leads to a more informed global
Perspective Two:
Free internet news is destroying the very fabric of journalism. The entire purpose of reading the news is to get important, relevant, and unbiased information.
The influence of advertising in free online news
obliterates all three of these
Perspective Three:
The world is always changing, and while there are drawbacks to the advertising influences within internet news, we need to give it a chance and see how it will evolve. With time, we can make papers that are both free and high quality
citizenry.
qualities in what we read.
Initial Opinion: What is your initial opinion on this topic? Why?
Perspective: Summarize each perspective in your own words.
Refined Claim:
Reconsider your initial opinion with the perspectives, and create a claim that addresses the prompt.
Thesis Statement: Write a thesis statement that answers the prompt and includes three supporting points.
With the rise of the internet, people now expect their news for free. Paying a few dollars per paper, or even a small fee for an online subscription, is a dying practice. With the countless outlets providing free news to people with an internet connection, the idea of paying money for information is rapidly falling out of favor. But at what price to the reader? Free internet news is supported by advertising the more clicks it receives, the more money the publisher makes.
This practice can lead to favoring the sensational over the important. Internet audiences will more reliably click on the latest celebrity gossip than they will on articles pertaining to important tax reform. Worse, in many cases, the news itself can be paid for by advertisers, who publish
"sponsored content" that looks like news, but is really just an ad for their products or services. Is the reduced cost of our news worth the potential drawbacks in its quality?
Perspective One:
The news should be free. As global citizens, it's our job to stay informed from a wide variety of sources. You shouldn't have to pay for that right. Free news democratizes the world of information and leads to a more informed global
Perspective Two:
Free internet news is destroying the very fabric of journalism. The entire purpose of reading the news is to get important, relevant, and unbiased information.
The influence of advertising in free online news
obliterates all three of these
Perspective Three:
The world is always changing, and while there are drawbacks to the advertising influences within internet news, we need to give it a chance and see how it will evolve. With time, we can make papers that are both free and high quality
citizenry.
qualities in what we read.
Answers
GPT-4o mini
**Topic Summary:** The rise of the internet has led to a culture where news is expected to be free. This shift has resulted in a decline in paid news subscriptions, raising concerns about the quality of information delivered to readers. Free online news is often driven by advertising, which can prioritize sensationalism over important topics and blur the line between news and advertising through sponsored content.
**Initial Opinion:** Initially, I believe that while free access to news can promote widespread information dissemination, the quality of that news may suffer due to the advertising model that supports it. This could lead to a misinformed public that prioritizes sensational stories over significant issues.
**Perspective Summaries:**
- **Perspective One:** Advocates argue for free news as a fundamental right for global citizens, as it promotes accessibility and a more informed society. They believe that everyone should have the opportunity to stay updated without financial barriers.
- **Perspective Two:** Critics contend that free online news threatens the integrity of journalism. They claim that the reliance on advertising compromises the delivery of unbiased and significant information, as sensationalism often takes precedence over important news due to the need for clicks and views.
- **Perspective Three:** Some hold a more optimistic view, suggesting that while the current model has flaws, it has the potential to evolve. They contend that with time, it is possible to create a version of free news that maintains high quality and impartiality.
**Refined Claim:** After considering the diverse perspectives, I am convinced that while free access to news can enhance overall information dissemination, the quality and reliability of such news can be compromised by the advertising-driven model. Therefore, a balance must be struck between free access and the preservation of journalistic integrity.
**Thesis Statement:** The demand for free news on the internet, while beneficial for accessibility, poses significant risks to the quality and reliability of information; first, the reliance on advertising incentivizes sensationalism over substantial reporting; second, the prevalence of sponsored content may mislead readers into confusing advertisements with legitimate news; and third, finding innovative solutions to support high-quality journalism is essential to maintaining informed citizenry.
**Initial Opinion:** Initially, I believe that while free access to news can promote widespread information dissemination, the quality of that news may suffer due to the advertising model that supports it. This could lead to a misinformed public that prioritizes sensational stories over significant issues.
**Perspective Summaries:**
- **Perspective One:** Advocates argue for free news as a fundamental right for global citizens, as it promotes accessibility and a more informed society. They believe that everyone should have the opportunity to stay updated without financial barriers.
- **Perspective Two:** Critics contend that free online news threatens the integrity of journalism. They claim that the reliance on advertising compromises the delivery of unbiased and significant information, as sensationalism often takes precedence over important news due to the need for clicks and views.
- **Perspective Three:** Some hold a more optimistic view, suggesting that while the current model has flaws, it has the potential to evolve. They contend that with time, it is possible to create a version of free news that maintains high quality and impartiality.
**Refined Claim:** After considering the diverse perspectives, I am convinced that while free access to news can enhance overall information dissemination, the quality and reliability of such news can be compromised by the advertising-driven model. Therefore, a balance must be struck between free access and the preservation of journalistic integrity.
**Thesis Statement:** The demand for free news on the internet, while beneficial for accessibility, poses significant risks to the quality and reliability of information; first, the reliance on advertising incentivizes sensationalism over substantial reporting; second, the prevalence of sponsored content may mislead readers into confusing advertisements with legitimate news; and third, finding innovative solutions to support high-quality journalism is essential to maintaining informed citizenry.