Media and uncertainty: introduction

The institutions of media and journalism are troubled by uncertainty. Attacked by populist politicians and disrupted by the platform economy, the media are expected to defend democracy by disseminating reliable and meaningful information while helping citizens navigate the uncertainty brought about by difficult events such as climate change, health crises, and political conflicts. This introduction problematizes the uncertainty faced by media practitioners and journalists and discusses how the COVID-19 pandemic has demonstrated citizens' need for stable media institutions.