Abstract:
Public shareholding models of news media ownership are challenged by the fragmentation effects of the digital environment that open previously closed markets to profit-paring competition. This paper argues that if news media are to fulfil a democratically significant function, alternative forms of ownership will be needed to fill vacuums created as corporate owners abandon unprofitable but socially important coverage and engagement. Can these alternatives achieve the scale and audience reach required to create a track on the public and political radar? The paper explores the factors that could make emerging news media organisations more than a momentary blip.