One of the main points underpinning the thesis of Manufacturing Consent's Propaganda model is news organizations selling audiences to corporations via their advertising arms.
So I would say the notion goes back at least to Chomsky and Herman.
Edit: Maybe it needs to be clarified that I'm in agreement with Olympus's comment and trying to expand on it.
So I would say the notion goes back at least to Chomsky and Herman.
Edit: Maybe it needs to be clarified that I'm in agreement with Olympus's comment and trying to expand on it.