News inequality refers to the varying presence of quality news, and unequal access to news. Though not a new phenomenon, news inequality will become more salient and more acute in 2020, especially as it relates to the presidential election.
As an increasing number of news ecosystem studies are showing, news deserts — places where there are negligible amounts of real journalism — have become increasingly common. We’ve also seen in the revelation of the insufficiencies in the FCC’s broadband mapping that millions of people in the U.S. are still without quality, reliable internet access.
News inequality matters in the same way that unequal access to education matters: Without trustworthy, reliable local and national journalism, the democratic political system breaks down. Alleviating news inequality will continue to be a priority in 2020 for the many foundations and other organizations working to implement new sustainable business models and grow new journalism organizations for the digital age.
Sarah Stonbely is the research director at the Center for Cooperative Media.
News inequality refers to the varying presence of quality news, and unequal access to news. Though not a new phenomenon, news inequality will become more salient and more acute in 2020, especially as it relates to the presidential election.
As an increasing number of news ecosystem studies are showing, news deserts — places where there are negligible amounts of real journalism — have become increasingly common. We’ve also seen in the revelation of the insufficiencies in the FCC’s broadband mapping that millions of people in the U.S. are still without quality, reliable internet access.
News inequality matters in the same way that unequal access to education matters: Without trustworthy, reliable local and national journalism, the democratic political system breaks down. Alleviating news inequality will continue to be a priority in 2020 for the many foundations and other organizations working to implement new sustainable business models and grow new journalism organizations for the digital age.
Sarah Stonbely is the research director at the Center for Cooperative Media.
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