Evaluating the New Models

A number of alternative models for the news — recent experiments, long-standing ventures and ideas yet to move beyond the blueprint phase — hold clues for what new press institutions and new forms of journalism may look like.

On the pages that follow, we briefly summarize some of the new ideas and specific policy proposals put forward to address the crisis in journalism, evaluating their likelihood of success, broader societal benefit and political viability. The main questions we address include: Which models hold the most promise of providing democratic journalism? Which are politically viable? Which new or existing policies can assist or hinder these new models?

While there is consensus that the economic downturn has converged with fundamental technological, cultural and ideological changes to transform the media, few agree on what should be done — or even can be done — about it. One conclusion is incontrovertible: To support new forms of reporting and new methods of distribution, we must think outside of current structures and beyond the current system. We cannot fix this problem by simply subsidizing or propping up old business models.

Some of these ideas have been heavily debated, while others remain untested and unexamined. The models are organized according to six main categories:

If you don’t see a particular model here, drop us a line and let us know, so we can continue to build this inventory.