MEDIA & DEMOCRACY Some final thoughts...
Concerns About Public Interest Democracy depends on a free flow of ideas, primarily through the media Not just news (politics) but also culture (news & entertainment)
Conflict Between Media organizations’ obligations to shareholders Media organizations’ obligations to needs of citizens
Market Model leads to: Homogenization & Imitation Declining Localism Trivialization & Sensationalism News Lite Conflicts of Interest Censorship (self, corporate, advertisers)
Suggestions For Improvement Regulatory policy designed to protect public interest –Content-based –Access-based Enforcement of anti-trust regulations
Low-powered radio stations Public access television Internet universal service Public television Alternative media