Journalism and Democracy

September 9th, 2007 | jchaager | commentary, news

The Seattle Times has begun a series exploring the role of Journalism and the Press in keeping a democracy strong and vibrant. It started today with two pieces, one written by FCC Commissioner Michael Copps.

The first piece, a Times OpEd, raises the question of why a strong press matters. The second piece, by Copps, provides an inside look into the FCC and what one of its commissioners sees as the failings of the commission and the media industry.

What is the role of the press in our democracy? Many people see it as mouthpiece for big business. And in many cases, since it is owned by large media companies, it is. As Copps points out, “[i]t is enormously revealing that our nation’s popular press literally predates our foundational political document, and played a key role in its formation.” Hundreds of local papers across the former colonies reprinted that document, the US Constitution, and printed hundreds of OpEd pieces dicussing its merits. And in the end, the newspapers were instrumental in getting the Constitution ratified. Without the press, the Constitution would have died on the vine, a footnote in history.

But, media consolidation has robbed the press of its objectivity. Where previously, newspapers and television had existed outside of the government and industry, tirelessly watching, investigating, and reporting on their actions, they are now pawns of big business. Local newspapers and television stations across the country have been snapped up by huge media conglomerates like The Hearst Corporation, Belo, and Time Warner. As the Times put it, “[t]he corporatization of news has laid bare how woefully unwilling strictly market-driven conglomerates are to fielding aggressive news organizations with a public-service mission.”

With the loss of local ownership comes a loss of local news. No longer does the evening news cover what is going on at city hall. Instead, we are given sensational stories from across the country which, in many cases, have little to do with our individual lives. Gone is the story about who is running for local office, replaced with stories of the mania surrounding the latest video game.

What can be done? The solution to the problem is two-fold. First, we, as citizens, must make our concerns known. Upset with the lack of local coverage on your evening news? Write the station manager and complain. Feel that your local paper has lost touch with life in your town? Write to the editor and demand that they focus on your town, not the big cities across the country. If enough of us complain to those in charge, and if we start to change our reading and viewing habits as a result, the stations and newspapers will be forced to make changes. Secondly, the FCC must reclaim its role as protector of the free media. It can no longer roll over and allow the big business of infotainment to get whatever they want. They must take a stand and demand that any changes sought by the media be shown to have a beneficial impact on the continuing diversity and vitality of American journalism.

We live in a democracy, and doing so is about more than just getting out and voting. It is about making your voice heard, letting people know that you do not agree with something and that you are willing to stand up for what you believe. Only then can America’s democracy survive.