In Search of Journalism Funding

Abstract

Digitization has caused disruption in the traditional business model of the news media. Policy implementation in the media sector is therefore increasingly raised as an economic question, involving concern for the ability of legacy media to serve as independent platforms for public deliberation. While media policy traditionally tends to focus on unwanted developments (i.e. local monopolies, ownership concentration, etc.), the side-effect often representing an obstacle to innovation, the question is how future media policy should account for innovation needs. Combining media economics, policy analysis and strategic management theory, this article combines interviews with key stakeholders with policy document analysis to a scenario analysis of possible future policy directions enabling innovation in the news industries in Norway.

KEYWORDS:

• journalism
• media innovation
• media policies
• media subsidies
• scenario analysis

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

Maren Kvamme Hagen, University of Oslo, contributed to this research as a research assistant.

DISCLOSURE STATEMENT

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.

Additional information

Funding

This work was supported by the Norges Forskningsråd [grant number 230744].

Notes on contributors

Helle Sjøvaag

Web: sjovaaghelle.worpress.com

Arne H. Krumsvik

Web: www.krumsvik.com