Media Ownership, Journalism and Diversity

Media companies are in the midst of fundamental transformation. The industrial pragmatism needed to survive in 21st century business models, however, collides with the need for diversity of voice in a healthy democracy.

Such tensions raise crucial questions about the nature and significance of different ownership regimes for journalism. It's important that we understand the trajectory of current policy thinking and explore alternative and more creative policy initiatives which might promote diversity without prejudicing business interests. Media Ownership, Journalism and Diversity analyzes these issues within the UK using evidence gathered from personal interviews with senior policy makers and through analysis of evidence to a 2008 House of Lords select inquiry committee on news and media ownership, for which the author was specialist advisor. The material is set within a broader international context, and up through the period of the News Corp hacking crisis.

Steven Barnett is Professor of Communications at the University of Westminster, UK, and a prominent writer and broadcaster who has been involved in policy analysis at the highest levels, both nationally and internationally, for the last 25 years.