Publication

The article discusses four revolutionary trends within the media (communi-chaos, control, commonality, convergence and consolidation) of the past 15 years. The author argues that especially the growing horizontal and vertical integration of media, and the cooperation between them could be dangerous for democracy. They lead to the concentration of the media into a few powerful hands. These in turn silence other voices and in combination with the growing apathy and ignorance of the public, possibly provide a fertile ground for the rise of demagogues who take advantage of ignorance and play on fears.