Newspapers are closing, bureaus are shuttering, whole areas of state, local and federal government are operating with no press coverage. At the same time, corporate and political power is rising. Is democracy threatened? Did the founders intend for the media to have a more active role in balancing democratic forces? If so, it's another sign that our democracy may be in trouble. We are awash in formation, but as T.S. Elliot wrote,"where is the knowledge we have lost in information?" Journalism professor
Robert W. McChesney, in his new book
The Death and Life of American Journalism: The Media Revolution that Will Begin the World Again
argues that our journalism is in more trouble than many believe and the the internet and technology alone may not be the answer.
My conversation with Robert McChesney:
