That's the nature of business. Yet in carving out special rights for the press in the First Amendment, the founding fathers had something other than media profit margins in mind. They believed the press serves an indispensable role in our democracy, functioning as a kind of town common, a meeting place where citizens can exchange news and gossip, find out what their neighbors, friends and co-workers are up to, voice their opinions, get the word on politics and business, entertain themselves, buy and sell goods and services. Today, Americans have lost touch with one another and with civic activities. Our communities face huge problems, and the prospect of trying to solve those problems can be daunting.
Solutions take time and proceed by trial and error.
Solutions also depend on people and organizations working together, which itself is a tough challenge. Like democracy, the process of fixing our communities unfolds slowly and can be messy. Democracy is about change, and change is a tough story to tell. Change takes place in fits and starts. It's not a story that lends itself to screaming headlines and lurid details.