The ongoing crisis in American democracy is the result of a confluence of factors that still need to be fully untangled. One irrefutable contributor, however, is a news and information environment that has evolved in ways that made it more difficult for citizens to effectively meet their information needs and to be well-informed participants in the democratic process. Journalismâs substantial protection under the First Amendment casts doubt upon whether any of these problems canâor shouldâbe addressed by policymakers.
This volume is motivated by an instance in which policymakers did attempt a robust inquiry into the questions of whether communitiesâ critical information needs were being effectively met and if media policy could help to maintain a news and information environment that meets these needs.
