That anyone would have been suggesting a government bailout for journalism would have been unsuggestable only a year or two ago. But that's the argument, no tongue in cheek, from David Sasaki in the Mediashift Idea Lab section of PBS.org. Tim Windsor wrestles this concept to the ground, but it likely isn't the last of it.

 


Comments

David Sasaki

Thu, 20 Nov 2008 13:11:29

Actually, as far as 'bailout' goes, I was being tongue in cheek. But I do think that in three to four years, unless some serious private philanthropy comes in, we will want to consider government support of certain types of journalism. Otherwise we are doing to see lots of innovative projects from smart people take up and then die off two years down the road.

 

Kirk LaPointe

Thu, 20 Nov 2008 22:39:21

I agree that new models are going to have to emerge. Not sure if the government model is the one. Already government will effectively subsidize business expenses. If it's direct grants, I'd much prefer to see arm's-length foundations, endowed through charitable contributions --- also, in effect, a government subsidy as a tax forfeiture for the break given the benefactor, but not one that has any possible partisanship or political overtone linked to it.

 



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