Jeff Bezos' Philanthropy Buoys US Journalism, But Germany Lags
In the USA, Jeff Bezos, owner of The Washington Post, stands out as a prominent philanthropist supporting journalism. Meanwhile, in Austria and Germany, initiatives like those led by Roger de Weck and bcause respectively, are aiding private and local media. However, there are no major individual philanthropists like Bezos in Germany today. A recent book, 'News for the Rich, White, and Blue', highlights how journalism is increasingly catering to wealthy, white, liberal audiences, raising concerns about its role in democracy.
The shift in journalism's focus is evident in strategies adopted by major outlets. The New York Times, for instance, is prioritising an elite, global audience. This trend is partly due to financial pressures, as local newspapers struggle to survive. Professor Nikki Usher's new book delves into this market failure, noting that local journalism's failure to serve democracy well is not a new issue. Some suggest returning to local partisan reporting or offloading basic information gathering to local institutions as potential solutions. However, these ideas are not without their challenges and critics.
The future of journalism, particularly local journalism, remains uncertain. While philanthropy and initiatives like those mentioned earlier provide some support, the financial crisis facing newspapers continues to influence their content and audience. It is crucial to find sustainable solutions that ensure journalism serves the interests of all segments of society, not just the wealthy and privileged.
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