Media diversity and the epistemic expectations of journalism Public service media’s responses to alternative media and the challenge of democratic integrity

In an era marked by the spread of mis- and disinformation via social media and alternative online platforms, public service media are tasked with safeguarding democratic values by delivering reliable, truthful information. In this chapter, we explore how journalism’s epistemic obligations are often caught between achieving balanced coverage and maintaining objectivity, emphasising one or the other depending on the media’s perceived role in democracy. We connect this tension to discussions on democratic media pluralism, distinguishing between liberal, deliberative, and agonistic models of democracy, each attaching different weights to objectivity and balance in media reporting. By highlighting examples of Belgian and Dutch public broadcasters, we illustrate how their practices align with these different visions on democracy. The chapter concludes by reflecting on the implications of maintaining a quality information landscape that is increasingly threatened by alternative media and disinformation.