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Newspaper within a market system.
Newspapers, in their current existence, aim to sell newspapers, that is their stated goal. They are, by and large, profit making entities. This, in my opinion, is a hindrance to the effective reporting of news. The profit motive in this sector leaves newspapers and journalists open far too much to the possibility of undue influence to write stories that sell newspapers or do not effect the entities which provide them with so much of their stories (The government for example).
There is an inherent contradiction in terms of journalistic freedom and independence in a market system that is very difficult to heal.
In recent years we have seen newspaper sales dropping off hugely, with many large print publications going out of business as a result in the loss of advertising revenues and competition from free to read online sources.
Perhaps a media system whereby newspapers are run as a non-profit would ensure a resolution to this problem. In such a system newspapers would still be bought by the reader, though likely at a significantly lower price. Removing the need to make a profit lowers costs for the entity and would remove barriers to effective journalism, thus removing some populist tabloid elements from broadsheets. This would undoubtedly raise the standard of journalism.
Revenue would comprise of newspaper sales and press funding donated by the state to an independent body which would then allocate funds to existing and new media foundations.
The states funding should not give it carte blanch to exert any kind of control over the media. An independent body would ensure that funding does not kick back influence.
State media in a socialist society would be a grave mistake. The state can make press releases and make its case, but propaganda of any sort should not be allowed. A democracy is only as healthy as its independent press.
