Media, a conflict between freedom and profitability ?

Under the combined impact of the loss of paid audiences and advertising revenues, the media is facing a threat to its business model. Digital platforms offer users free access to certain content produced by news media. A significant proportion of the media’s audience now settles for partial access to this content, without paying the cost of a subscription or a one-off purchase (single-issue sales). Audiences for these news sites are monetized by platforms, and targeted advertising, which enables access to browsing data, now redirects advertising revenues into the pockets of the platforms, which have become dominant players in the adtech sector. Loss-making media companies are often bought out by investors from other sectors.

How can we restore a viable economic model for the media in the digital age? Can shareholders intervene in the editorial line of the media they have bought? Can journalists or the editorial board oppose the appointment of an editorial director chosen by the shareholder? Should the takeover of a media company by a non-industry player be prohibited?