It s easy to make a rhetorical case for the value of journalism. Because, it is a necessary precondition for democracy; it speaks to the people and for the people; it informs citizens and enables them to make rational decisions; it functions as their watchdog on government and other powers that be.

But does rehashing such familiar rationales bring journalism studies forward? Does it contribute to ongoing discussions surrounding journalism s viability going forth? For all their seeming self-evidence, this book considers what bearing these old platitudes have in the new digital era....