While the national press has historically had a low standing with the American public, confidence in the media has actually increased since Trump took office. David Leonhardt, op-ed columnist for The New York Times explained this phenomenon at a recent McCloskey Speaker Series event in Aspen. He pointed out that despite being labeled “fake,” today’s journalism is more accurate than it used to be. Writers, editors, and readers can hammer out questions in real time and keep one other accountable. What worries him is the Trump administration’s attempt to create a monopoly on information.

The media isn’t the opposition, it’s simply holding government accountable.

Despite the rhetoric, the media’s greatest challenge is not Donald Trump — it’s the disruption of the industry’s business model. Eighty-five cents of every ad dollar now goes to either Facebook or Google, forcing news outlets to rethink their revenue streams or face bankruptcy. This has been especially catastrophic for regional and local papers. While there is no shortage of outlets covering the White House, fewer journalists are being paid to report on the activities of city councils, school boards, and state governments.

Read the full article on American journalism by Nicole Corea at The Aspen Institute