Democracy and the fate of newspapers

A robust free press is critical for a free democracy. “Our liberty depends on the freedom of the press and that cannot be limited without being lost,” said Thomas Jefferson.Jefferson also wrote…

“Where the press is free and every man able to read, all is safe.”

“No one more sincerely wishes the spread of information among mankind than I do, and none has greater confidence in its effect towards supporting free and good government.

“Enlighten the people generally, and tyranny and oppressions of body and mind will vanish like evil spirits at the dawn of day.”

My talk show on KGNU this week featured a lively discussion about the future of newspaper journalism and its impact on democracy. My guests were James T. Hamilton, Director of the DeWitt Wallace Center for Media and Democracy, and Chris O’Brien, Director of The Next Newsroom Project.

Our conversation included an exploration of the changing ways people get their news along with how technology may shape the future of newspapers.

To learn more about my guests and listen to an MP3 recording of the show, please visit my Media Industry Examiner column.