Once again the entire staff of Commonprejudice has relocated. In this new environment I'm sure we'll have lots to say.
In time I would like to begin a series of posts on democracy eventually leading to a film project. Today let's start with a basic observation.
With many newspapers struggling and/or failing wise commentators fret over the loss of resources only big media can providem resource which are essential to break stories that small independent bloggers or news groups could never do.
At Balloon Juice DougJ highlights the problems of the Baltimore Sun - huge layoffs of staff and its investigative team of reporters being reduced from four to one among them. He correctly notes how many people don't realize the importance of preserving the type of investigative journalism that smaller organizations could never afford to undertake. And he is led to conclude:
Now I'm not about to rail against the very concept of private media but one thing about this comment strikes me as particularly American; the instinctive search for better "business models" when discussing issues that clearly relate to a public good, and in this case an issue fundamental to functioning of democracy itself.
If we are confined to coming up with better business models in an attempt to ensure the type of journalism that democracy needs is carried out then we have already lost the battle. Something as basic to a democracy as maintaining the public reasonably informed can not be left to the whims of the market and precariousness of an operation that can only survive if it is profitable. Without accurate information democracy has no chance. And as media become more fragmented and infotainment dominates mainstream television if American society hopes to retain some semblance of its democratic tradition public funding of media will have to be considered. Eventually there will be no other choice.
The role of media in a 21st century democracy is an issue I will continue to explore.
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