The Business of Journalism and Studying the Journalism Business

Abstract

This chapter challenges the conventional assumption that journalism can be saved through a singular business model. We argue, using examples from the United States, that scholars and journalists need to be more holistically engaged with the economics of media more generally, and different types of journalism beyond newspaper and digital-first outlets. Second, scholars and journalists need to be more intellectually honest about their aims in conducting this research: Is research on news business models aimed at propping up corporate-funded journalism? What is the purpose of critiquing current business models, and are the solutions proposed really tenable or equitable within current political and social landscapes? Third, universities should consider their strengths and limitations in serving as potential “bubbles” for innovation, experimentation, and insulation from commercial pressures.

New Funding Models in Journalism Are Emerging, but Major Leap Forward Is Lacking

“…Collectively, the above articles represent a growing interest in the business of journalism. This is of real benefit to the wider field, given that it was only recently that journalism studies was critiqued for ignoring questions about business models in favour of focusing on production and newsroom practices (Nielsen, 2018;Usher & Poepsel, 2021). While commercial journalism has had something of a financial crisis for some time (McChesney & Pickard, 2011), understanding how the crisis has developed over the last decade or so and the responses of various actors is still a critical task.…”