線上新聞媒體的角色定位：從內容提供到公共辯論的提倡者

The Role of Online News Media: From Content Provider to Advocate of Public Debates

本文透過回顧新聞媒體的發展指出，在理想上，新聞媒體應為民主服務，但在現實壓力下，新聞媒體真正的作為卻不盡理想。本文以為，對新聞媒體而言，數位時代不僅帶來危機，也帶來契機；若新聞媒體能重新定位自身，將有可能重拾其理想上的角色，而且能夠藉此凸顯出新聞媒體與其他內容提供者明顯有別的優勢。至於重新定位的方向，即：不僅作為公共事務內容的主要提供者，更應是讓公眾參與公共事務辯論的倡導者。若兩者能緊密結合，則新聞媒體與公眾將是雙贏局面。

Ideally news media should play the role of 'watchdog' but in reality news media seldom perform their duties faithfully. This paper tries to explain the gap between ideals and reality of news media's role in a democratic society. The author finds that almost all news media try to be independent and objective as possible as they can, hoping that in doing so they can make more money. As a matter of fact, what people need in a democratic society is not detached news media but civic engagement. This paper suggests that new technologies provide opportunities for the news media to re-define their role in accordance with needs which may arise in a democratic society. For example, news media should change their role from content provider to facilitator of public debates. If they do so, they will not only secure people's trust but can also survive the challenge of the digital age.