May 18.2009

Falk Auditorium, Brookings Institution
Washington, DC

The Brookings Institution will host an event to discuss how to "re-engineer" the traditional business model of the news industry and to improve media coverage of public affairs.

Rising unemployment and a declining economy are placing enormous fiscal pressures on news organizations around the globe. The simultaneous declines in ad revenues and circulation levels have undermined the traditional business model of newspapers, radio and television networks. The competing emergence of Internet web sites and bloggers has changed the dynamic. As a result, the news media is increasingly merging with entertainment media – a trend which holds the promise of expanding public discourse but also threatens to diminish its quality.

On May 18, The Brookings Institution will host an event to discuss how to "re-engineer" the traditional business model of the news industry and to improve media coverage of public affairs. Time’s Karen Tumulty will moderate a discussion with Brookings Vice President and Director of Governance Studies Darrell West, Senator Ben Cardin (D-MD) , Aspen Institute’s Walter Isaacson, and journalist Michael Kinsley. Brookings President Strobe Talbott will offer introductions and opening remarks.

After the program, panelists will take audience questions.

Participants
Introduction
Strobe Talbott

President, The Brookings Institution
Moderator
Karen Tumulty

Senior Writer and National Political Correspondent, Time
Panelists
The Honorable Benjamin L. Cardin (D-MD)

United States Senate
Walter Isaacson

President and CEO, The Aspen Institute
Michael Kinsley

Writer and Columnist
Darrell M. West

Vice President and Director, Governance Studies

for more information, go to /www.brookings.edu/events/2009/0518_news_future.aspx