Free papers or a free press

The press is in crisis; the worst crisis in its history. For the past three years newspapers and news magazines in France, including Le Monde diplomatique, and almost everywhere in the world have been steadily losing readers. Their delicate economic balance is upset, their survival threatened and, with it, the democratic right to express a range of opinions. What is to blame for this depressing state of the press?

First, the rise and rise of “free” newspapers. The “free” is a lie since it leads some readers to believe that news costs nothing, whereas “free” papers are paid for by an advertising levy that is incorporated in the price of everything else they buy.

In just a few years these publications have shot to the top of the circulation tables. As a result many people have stopped buying daily papers and advertisers are turning to the “free” papers instead. Sales on the newsstands and advertising are the two main sources of a newspaper’s revenue; the third is subscriptions.

Then there is the internet, which is revolutionising every aspect of cultural life — music, publishing, cinema, television — as well as the media. It is significant that the international news channel France 24 was launched first on the web and only later on cable and satellite.

People turn more and more to the internet for news and information and some have stopped buying newspapers. They too, like those who read the “free” papers, have deserted the newsstands, many of which have then been forced to close down with a corresponding reduction in sales of all newspapers and periodicals (1).

The internet is attractive, access to many sites is free, people can express their own opinions in their own way on blogs and it is easy to exchange ideas on everything under the sun. But this increase in freedom must be weighed against some contrary considerations. There is the disturbing fact that many groups that have engaged through the internet in intense, internal debate in a spirit of democratic participation, have been crushed, reduced to impotence or self-destruction.

The researcher Eric Klinenberg in the United States has noted that the internet used to be remarkable for many new sites expressing a wide range of political opinions, yet the most popular sites are now controlled by the most powerful media groups. This means that, as always in the history of communications, whenever a new medium appears — from newspapers in 18th century to the independent radio stations of the 1970s and the internet today — it begins by extending the boundaries of free speech, only to be taken over and tamed by the money men.

Reader profiles based on search engine utilisation are now being sold to businesses keen to target potential consumers more effectively.

In France, control of the mass media is concentrated in the hands of a few industrial and financial groups, including two arms manufacturers, Lagardère (via Hachette) and Dassault (via Socpresse). This disturbing fact should prompt members of the public to rally round and support the independent press, including Le Monde diplomatique.

You will recall that our magazine is owned jointly by the Le Monde group (51%) and by our readers and production team (49%). This is extremely rare in the press, not only in France but in the world, and it guarantees complete independence from all the powers that be, political, media or financial.

This peculiar feature is highly prized in other countries and has been instrumental in allowing us to expand our international editions, of which there are now some 60 in more than 30 languages. This is unique in the world press but it has not prevented a decline in sales in France itself, sales on which the financial balance of the paper depends.

In the media battle ahead Le Monde diplomatique is counting on the loyalty of its readers and a large association of readers’ groups (the Friends of Le Monde diplomatique). But it is also taking a number of initiatives, starting in February: while it remains more than ever committed to fact-based journalism, the editorial content will contain substantial innovations.

This is meant as a signal to readers, a call to rally round and take action. To subscribe to Le Monde diplomatique is the best way to show your support for a free press, free speech and independent journalism.