Can the Internet Properly Support Democracy and the Public Sphere?

This lack of responsible reporting has led to an information overload, and an Associated Press study found that “[young media consumers] were overloaded with facts and updates and were having trouble moving more deeply into the background and resolution of news stories.” Too many voices, and too much nonsensical information, prevent citizens from being properly informed by reliable sources. At its best, citizen journalism can provide a truly democratic approach to news reporting; at its worst, however, an information overload can hinder reader engagement.

Corporate Control

In the chaos of an information overload, the voices that are heard overtop the commotion are the corporate news sources. Unlike your everyday blogger, established news broadcasters have credibility, funds, and the attention of consumers. The value of a well-known brand is more important online than ever before, as familiar names will attract readers and established news corporations have the means – specifically, money and influence – to draw in consumers.

Courtesy of Edgar Zuniga Jr.

Traditional news sources continue to dominate the media landscape, alongside the profitable practices they employ. Critics such as Croteau & Hoynes argue that proper informative reporting has been compromised by the pressures to appeal to advertisers and draw in viewers; this pressure has resulted in sensationalized, fragmented, and uncritical infotainment. In other words, educated decisions and discussions are hindered by news broadcasters treating viewers as consumers and not citizens. Lohman believes that “the Internet undermines democracy then by placing the interest of the market before the interest of democracy. And despite what many in the business community might like to imagine, the two are fundamentally incompatible.”

Citizens face the same dilemma from the pre-digital age: do traditional news sources provide us the means to a healthy public sphere, and with it the knowledge to properly support a democracy? If those same few media conglomerates have the power to shape public opinion, will their inordinate leverage prevent citizens from making well-informed decisions? Or can citizen journalism revive and democratize the public sphere, providing citizens a thorough understanding of news and the knowledge needed to engage the issues?

The Media’s Role in a Democratic Public Sphere

The media play a vital role in keeping governments, the corporate sector, and the civil sector honest. The news and entertainment industries hold tremendous influence because media commodities – unlike tangible products – contain powerful messages that can change the world.

[pullquote]the Internet is a democratic medium that allows people – not just companies – to convey information and understanding[/pullquote]

The Internet, above all else, provides all citizens will an online connection and the opportunity to speak their mind. Though at times overwhelming, ultimately the Internet is a democratic medium that allows people – not just companies – to convey information and understanding through mass media. Lohman believes that the online public sphere is one of the Internet’s greatest assets that must be protected. As he explains: “If commercial forces are left to their own free will, then they will transform the web into another television, where we log on to simply consume the media that is produced by large corporations. We will lose the ability to produce things ourselves, we will lose the ability to seek out diverse, radical, or unprofitable content. We will lose the ability to speak back.”

Corporations still do have a greater say in news than individuals; after all, media conglomerates have massive sway, established brands, and impressive funds. Though corporate broadcasters may have the capacity to abuse their influence for private interests, they also have important qualities that many citizen journalists do not: namely, reliability, training, and credibility as a renowned brand.