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    The Next Journalism

    How the Press Must Change to Serve Democracy

    Author Tom Rosenstiel
    Ebook
    Crown
    On sale Aug 18, 2026 | 400 Pages | 9780593800201
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    An urgent case that the survival of democracy depends on reinventing the press, with ten pioneering reforms to help journalism better serve the public—from the co-author of the classic The Elements of Journalism.

    The crisis in journalism reflects a crisis in American democracy. Faith in news outlets has dwindled, news deserts are expanding, and audiences are turning away from alarmist, partisan, and fragmented coverage.

    In The Next Journalism, Tom Rosenstiel—veteran journalist, researcher, novelist, and co-author of The Elements of Journalism—argues that the roots of journalism’s failure are intellectual, not just financial or technological. He outlines ten fundamental ways journalism must change to become more useful, trustworthy, and collaborative with the communities it serves.

    From redefining news as a service rather than a product, to embracing transparency, to harnessing AI responsibly, Rosenstiel provides a bold, practical framework for rebuilding a press that empowers citizens instead of alienating them. With case studies, historical insight, and forward-looking ideas, this book offers journalists, policymakers, and readers alike a roadmap to ensuring democracy’s survival in the twenty-first century.
    © Kate DeBlasis / Merrill College
    Tom Rosenstiel is a journalist, media critic, researcher, novelist, and professor. He is the author of seven influential nonfiction books, including The Elements of Journalism, and four novels. Rosenstiel has been a press critic for the Los Angeles Times, chief congressional correspondent for Newsweek, press critic for MSNBC, and director of media studies at the Pew Research Center. He also led the American Press Institute and now serves as Eleanor Merrill Professor on the Future of Journalism at the University of Maryland. He lives in Washington, D.C. View titles by Tom Rosenstiel
    “Rosenstiel offers an urgent intellectual framework for the reinvention of journalism as a public service. He makes a clear case for a press less driven by attention and more focused on helping people navigate their lives. The result is a vision of journalism that is more relevant to people—and more vital to our democracy. A must-read for anyone concerned with the future of American journalism.”—Sarabeth Berman, CEO, American Journalism Project

    “Rosenstiel, a press critic and journalism professor, presents a solid case that news organizations’ problems are bigger than they realize. . . . [A] roadmap for rejuvenating journalism in a fast-moving, fragmented world.”—Kirkus Reviews

    “Tom Rosenstiel has a habit of writing books that are must-reads for practicing and aspiring journalists—and for anyone who aims to understand the field. With The Next Journalism, he does it yet again. In this urgent call for journalists to rethink their mission and craft, Rosenstiel solidifies his reputation as a leading thinker on how journalists can deliver better work and earn greater public confidence.”—Martin Baron, former executive editor, The Washington Post

    “Tom Rosenstiel has spent a lifetime in and around journalism but is not playing defense in this engaging, hopeful, and helpful book. He is as interested as anybody in transforming the news into the public good we want and need it to be. If you want more from our media and are ready to pitch in, read this.”—Sarah Alvarez, founder of Outlier Media and James B. Steele Chair of Journalism Innovation at Temple University

    “A high-stakes roadmap for relevance. In The Next Journalism, Tom Rosenstiel replaces industry despair with a grounded hope in what must come next. By bridging deep research with practical examples from newsrooms already pushing boundaries, Rosenstiel provides the answers we’ve been looking for, and the historical lessons we can’t afford to ignore. Essential reading for anyone ready to build the future of news.”—Sisi Wei, chief impact officer at CalMatters and The Markup

    “Acclaimed journalist and novelist Rosenstiel presents thoughtful strategies to cope with this increasingly fragmented media landscape. Although [The Next Journalism’s] focus is clearly aimed at serious students of journalism and industry professionals, Rosenstiel’s thoughtful analysis will resonate with anyone concerned with the future of the press.”—Booklist

    “Rosenstiel proposes 10 changes essential for delivering [a new kind of] more service-focused journalism. Throughout, Rosenstiel packs in much useful guidance for working journalists; a chapter on ‘Reinventing the Interview’ is a standout. . . . [The Next Journalism] gives scribes and stringers much to consider.”—Publishers Weekly

    About

    An urgent case that the survival of democracy depends on reinventing the press, with ten pioneering reforms to help journalism better serve the public—from the co-author of the classic The Elements of Journalism.

    The crisis in journalism reflects a crisis in American democracy. Faith in news outlets has dwindled, news deserts are expanding, and audiences are turning away from alarmist, partisan, and fragmented coverage.

    In The Next Journalism, Tom Rosenstiel—veteran journalist, researcher, novelist, and co-author of The Elements of Journalism—argues that the roots of journalism’s failure are intellectual, not just financial or technological. He outlines ten fundamental ways journalism must change to become more useful, trustworthy, and collaborative with the communities it serves.

    From redefining news as a service rather than a product, to embracing transparency, to harnessing AI responsibly, Rosenstiel provides a bold, practical framework for rebuilding a press that empowers citizens instead of alienating them. With case studies, historical insight, and forward-looking ideas, this book offers journalists, policymakers, and readers alike a roadmap to ensuring democracy’s survival in the twenty-first century.

    Author

    © Kate DeBlasis / Merrill College
    Tom Rosenstiel is a journalist, media critic, researcher, novelist, and professor. He is the author of seven influential nonfiction books, including The Elements of Journalism, and four novels. Rosenstiel has been a press critic for the Los Angeles Times, chief congressional correspondent for Newsweek, press critic for MSNBC, and director of media studies at the Pew Research Center. He also led the American Press Institute and now serves as Eleanor Merrill Professor on the Future of Journalism at the University of Maryland. He lives in Washington, D.C. View titles by Tom Rosenstiel

    Praise

    “Rosenstiel offers an urgent intellectual framework for the reinvention of journalism as a public service. He makes a clear case for a press less driven by attention and more focused on helping people navigate their lives. The result is a vision of journalism that is more relevant to people—and more vital to our democracy. A must-read for anyone concerned with the future of American journalism.”—Sarabeth Berman, CEO, American Journalism Project

    “Rosenstiel, a press critic and journalism professor, presents a solid case that news organizations’ problems are bigger than they realize. . . . [A] roadmap for rejuvenating journalism in a fast-moving, fragmented world.”—Kirkus Reviews

    “Tom Rosenstiel has a habit of writing books that are must-reads for practicing and aspiring journalists—and for anyone who aims to understand the field. With The Next Journalism, he does it yet again. In this urgent call for journalists to rethink their mission and craft, Rosenstiel solidifies his reputation as a leading thinker on how journalists can deliver better work and earn greater public confidence.”—Martin Baron, former executive editor, The Washington Post

    “Tom Rosenstiel has spent a lifetime in and around journalism but is not playing defense in this engaging, hopeful, and helpful book. He is as interested as anybody in transforming the news into the public good we want and need it to be. If you want more from our media and are ready to pitch in, read this.”—Sarah Alvarez, founder of Outlier Media and James B. Steele Chair of Journalism Innovation at Temple University

    “A high-stakes roadmap for relevance. In The Next Journalism, Tom Rosenstiel replaces industry despair with a grounded hope in what must come next. By bridging deep research with practical examples from newsrooms already pushing boundaries, Rosenstiel provides the answers we’ve been looking for, and the historical lessons we can’t afford to ignore. Essential reading for anyone ready to build the future of news.”—Sisi Wei, chief impact officer at CalMatters and The Markup

    “Acclaimed journalist and novelist Rosenstiel presents thoughtful strategies to cope with this increasingly fragmented media landscape. Although [The Next Journalism’s] focus is clearly aimed at serious students of journalism and industry professionals, Rosenstiel’s thoughtful analysis will resonate with anyone concerned with the future of the press.”—Booklist

    “Rosenstiel proposes 10 changes essential for delivering [a new kind of] more service-focused journalism. Throughout, Rosenstiel packs in much useful guidance for working journalists; a chapter on ‘Reinventing the Interview’ is a standout. . . . [The Next Journalism] gives scribes and stringers much to consider.”—Publishers Weekly

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