In 2004, the Detroit Big 3 automakers¹⁾ more commonly known as the domestics, spent $24 billion²⁾ in advertising in the “mainstream media”. The same “mainstream media” has been panning the US cars manufacturers, and swooning over the imports³⁾ and how much better they were. 3 years later, in 2007, the same Big 3 only spent $15 billion dollars in advertising in the “mainstream media”. On top of that, newspapers took a $131 million⁴⁾ hit in the first quarter of 2008 as dealers have pulled back on full and half-page ads because of slow sales and limited cash flow.

And now, you have the mainstream media loosing money left, right and center, laying off staff⁵⁾, including photographers.

The reporters claimed “freedom of the press”. They could have reported:

1. Quality of the domestics have significantly improved according to JD Powers & Associates.
2. Buick⁶⁾ has higher customer satisfaction than Toyota both in 2006 and 2007…

There are many more stories, reports and photos that they could have made, ethically, and still supporting the companies that are paying their salaries.

– My mom