The essence of a democratic process is the guarantee that citizens have free and easy
access to public information. How can that be made possible and how can people learn to use that
information critically? In earlier papers (Boef, et.al. 2008 and 2009), we discussed the relationship
between public library, press and the free access to relevant information. In this paper, we
concentrate on the role of journalistic media in making public information accessible for the
citizen. Our starting point is the fact that the citizen, in shaping her or his position in relation to
political and other societal issues needs fewer opinions of others, but more reliable information;
verified and certified by professionals. That way, the citizen will become enabled to create and to
ground his or her opinion. Based on that solid foundation, opinions and comments of others can
be appreciated and rated. Finally, we will discuss the ongoing process of the disappearing of
independent media and the negative effect on the democratic process, and hence the need for a
new generation of Internet savvy civil journalists.