The Cultural Review

Media Ownership

3 articles

A hand reaching for a physical book on a shelf, representing the enduring value of physical media ownership in contrast to digital content.
Media

What is Physical Media Ownership and Why Does It Matter?

In 2022, academic publisher Wiley abruptly removed over 1,300 ebooks from library collections, a stark demonstration that even 'purchased' digital content can vanish without warning.

Andre Silva·September 19, 2026
A vast, old library filled with books, records, and film reels, contrasted by a single glowing digital screen symbolizing transient streaming.
Media

The Tyranny of the Stream: Why We Must Preserve Physical Media

The preservation of physical media is a vital defense of our cultural memory against the transient nature of digital access. Entrusting our entire cultural library to the cloud risks profound and irreversible loss.

Claire Donovan·April 1, 2026
A dramatic, cinematic image showing a vast network of digital lines and broadcast towers merging into a single, powerful media monolith, symbolizing media consolidation and its impact on journalism and culture.
Media

The Great Consolidation: How Media Mergers Are Reshaping Journalism and Culture

The illusion of infinite choice on our screens masks a stark reality: fewer and fewer entities control what we see. The recent approval of the Nexstar-TEGNA merger marks a critical acceleration of media consolidation, a trend reshaping our entire cultural landscape.

Andre Silva·March 30, 2026