Chris White

If 'Real Journalism' Fails As A Business, Should Government Step In?

It is an interesting question. The banks derivative based business model and Boolean risk switches have failed, and they are being supported, directly, and indirectly with inflation. The defense industry is also supported in the same way, perhaps as an uneconomic capability which wouldn't function without its government customer, and is unable to diversify into other markets. Air traffic control, does that count? There's probably other nationalized industries in the government's pockets, secondary mortgage market organizers, so why not takr over failing journalism models. They are close to the New York Times, swapping out secrets the Times agrees not to publish, it seems, for continued daily access on stuff it can publish.

But why should the government be limited to failed or failing business models like these?

If government was going to get into the media business wouldn't it make sense to do it properly? One company, full multi-media access across the entire spectrum, from cell-phones and blackberries to TV and movies houses distributed through all means. Establishment of an officially sanctioned training program for journalists so that they know stuff. Cooperation between journalists and the diplomatic and military services around the world.

Oh, perhaps Madison Avenue should be included in the mix too. That way there wouldn't be any disorienting shocks caused by changes in coverage reflecting changes in ownership.