Does Democracy Need the News?

Does Democracy Need the News?
Australian Broadcasting Corporation - Walkley Media Conference 2010
In a time when thousands of newspapers are shedding staff, being closed, sold off or swallowed, John Nichols reasserts the importance of fierce and independent political journalism.Nichols is a noted U.S. commentator who writes for The Nation and was a visiting guest at the 2010 Walkley Media Conference. He warns his Australian audience that the dip in quantity and quality of American television and print media could spread, if Australia fails to value the institutions and outlets that act as our critical "fourth estate."