ABSTRACT
How are news media systems constructed? This chapter reviews the political, economic, legal, and social forces that influence news media content, especially as they have developed over time. A historical approach to understanding news institutions and systems is a key part of news literacy because of the influence of the past on the present, which is explained by the idea of path dependence. The historical rise of neoliberalism and deregulation helps explain our present moment, and comparing news media systems around the world helps illustrate the different approaches that are possible. Understanding the influence of markets, laws, regulations, and other forces is essential to critical news literacy.
