Journalism Crisis and Democracy Crisis? A Reconsideration of Journalism in the Digital Ecosystem

Abstract

Media companies have been severely affected by the current financial crisis. In Spain, this phenomenon has caused the disappearance of dozens of media and the dismissal of thousands of journalists. At the same time, the enormous development of Internet and the emergence of new communicative actors, such as social networks, are questioning the traditional role of the media as providers of information to citizens. This article reflects on the crisis of the media and the importance of professional journalism in democratic societies.