Diverse Media Ecosystems
Backing Evidence (5 Key Documents)
- The Impact of Media Consolidation on Local News (Journal of Economic Perspectives, 2018) Search
- Diversity in Newsrooms and Content Representation (Pew Research Center, 2019) Search
- Anti-Trust Regulation in the Media Sector (Congressional Research Service, 2020) Search
- Alternative Business Models for Local Journalism (Knight Foundation, 2021) Search
- The rise of independent media channels (Journalism & Mass Communication Quarterly, 2020) Search
The Straw Man Arguments
- We don't need independent media because large networks already cover all viewpoints.
- If we just fund tiny local papers, they will immediately compete with national networks.
The Steel Man (Strong Counter-Suit)
Encouraging diversity is good, but artificially subsidizing small media operations or using antitrust laws to break up large media corporations can disrupt natural market efficiencies, make news operations financially unsustainable, and lower overall reporting quality.