Crisis of the Institutional Press

The institutional press is crucial for civic life, but it is facing threats from populist challenges and a counter-institutional media system. This book proposes a hybrid institution that distributes across multiple platforms, national boundaries, and social actors, and highlights the need to articulate and defend greater aspirations for the press. It is an essential resource for students and scholars of journalism, media, and communication.

Format: Hardback
Length: 208 pages
Publication date: 06 November 2020
Publisher: Polity Press

Amidst the growing polarization of society, driven by economic dislocation, tribalism, and fear, and the escalating attacks on the press, which threaten its very survival, the need for an institutionally organized forum in civic life has become increasingly crucial. The rise of populist challenges, amplified by a counter-institutional media system, has further eroded journalistic authority, exploiting a post-truth mentality that undermines its core values. In response to these challenges, Stephen Reese offers a novel conception of the "hybrid institution," a concept that extends beyond the traditional newsroom and encompasses a distributed network of platforms, national boundaries, and social actors.

In this timely book, Reese explores these threats through a fresh perspective, proposing a hybrid institution that can uphold the values we cherish about the institutional press while adapting to the changing landscape. He raises important questions about what we value about the institutional press and proposes normative standards that a hybrid institution could aspire to. Reese emphasizes the importance of active articulation and defense of greater aspirations in this critical moment.

The Crisis of the Institutional Press is a valuable resource for students and scholars of journalism, media, and communication. It provides a comprehensive analysis of the challenges facing the institutional press and offers insights into the potential for a hybrid institution to thrive in the future. By examining the institutional press's past, present, and future, Reese encourages us to reflect on the importance of this vital institution and its role in shaping public discourse.

In conclusion, as society grapples with the challenges posed by polarization, tribalism, and fear, the institutional press remains a crucial forum for the exchange of ideas and the promotion of democratic values. The Crisis of the Institutional Press is a timely and essential contribution to the ongoing debate about the future of journalism and media. By exploring the potential of a hybrid institution and advocating for greater aspirations, Reese offers a vision for a more robust and resilient press that can serve as a beacon of truth and accountability in an increasingly complex world.

Weight: 410g
Dimension: 145 x 222 x 24 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781509538027