Thomas Baekdal

Here is the fundamental problem with government subsidization of the media. In Sweden, only six media houses get 70% of the government media subsidies. https://www.dagensmedia.se/medier/dagspress/sex-mediehus-delar-pa-70-procent-av-mediestodet-har-ar-alla-titlar-som-cashar-in-2022/

As a media analyst, I don't think this provides a good model for the future of the media, nor does it encourage growth, innovation, or competition.

Sex mediehus delar på 70 procent av mediestödet – här är alla titlar som cashar in 2022

Bonnier, NTM, Stampen, Gota, Schibsted och NWT delar på ett mediestöd på drygt 670 miljoner kronor i år. Dagens Media kartlägger hur årets mediestöd fördelar sig.<br>✓Hela listan – så mycket får 183 titlar<br>✓Inget innovationsstöd<br>✓Bonnier News största bidragstagaren<br>✓Mindre pengar till NWT<br>✓Världen Idag in på topp 20

Dagens Media
Dec 20, 2022 at 11:48amWeb
Show threadJeff JarvisDec 20, 2022
@baekdal Ditto government imposed blackmail payments from tech. The rich get richer.
Show threadThomas BaekdalDec 20, 2022
@jeffjarvis Yep!
Show threadJW prince of CPHDec 20, 2022

@baekdal You're assuming growth, innovation & competition as positives - which may (!) be true when using the term "media", but since this includes the press, a.k.a. The 4th Estate, it tends to cause considerably more problems than it contributes to solving.

T4E does NOT need to innovate or grow or even, arguably, to compete. It has the democratically crucial function of informing the electorate, and growth etc. don't contribute to this at all. In fact, they are quite detrimental.

#press

Show threadThomasDec 20, 2022
@baekdal
Maybe not but I wonder if it eliminates or curtails harmful media like Fox News?
Show threadThomas BaekdalDec 20, 2022
@area51 If the US did the same as Sweden, Fox News would be one of the publishers getting more money.
Show threadThomasDec 20, 2022
@baekdal
Government paying Fox News is sure one scary thought.