An Unexpected Crisis: The News Media in Postindustrial Democracies

Social and political theory in the twentieth century envisioned the flourishing of both democracy and the information economy. But while the digital revolution has promoted freedom of expression and freedom of information, it has had mixed effects on the freedom of the press. Throughout the advanced democratic world –more acutely in some countries than in others –the rise of digital communications has undermined the financial condition and economic independence of the press. New media have not, as of yet, offset losses in more traditional media. With its high dependence on advertising revenue, American journalism has been especially vulnerable to stress. In the late twentieth century, observers expected the news media in Europe to evolve in an American direction; instead American journalism has been moving in a more European direction –more partisan and less financially secure –though public policy in the United States shows no signs of adjusting to the new realities.