ABSTRACT
This chapter argues that studies on political communication in liberal democracies which are concerned with current trends of the polarization of public discourse may also take the role and motivation of media owners of news organizations into account. Where political and business instrumentalism of media owners prevails, disproportionate influence on the presentation style and selection of reported topics can be assumed. Amongst others, studies on the political and economic interests of Rupert Murdoch, former CEO of News Corporation, and the impact of Fox News Channel, his most important TV news outlet in the US, on public discourse, people’s political involvement, and politicians’ decision-making are discussed to substantiate this proposition. This chapter concludes with further thoughts on the role of social media for the polarization of public discourse and a proposition to embrace an interdisciplinary approach to better understand why citizens in liberal democracies seem to have become more receptive to these changes in public discourse.
