Over the past years, it has often been stated that the traditional function of journalism will erode with the advance of the `information society'. Direct news supply by satellite television and computer networks, the explosion of information and the increasing communication autonomy of citizens, less public service and more commercial exploitation of media all suggest that critical journalism is becoming redundant. This article gives an overview of the relevant developments and discussions on the topic, and defends the thesis that because of the increasing individualization and segmentation in communication such notions as `community' and `public debate' should be taken less for granted. Therefore the traditional task of journalism will shift from collecting information to directing the social flow of information and public debate. Next to this `orientating journalism', the new media offer scope for `instrumental journalism'.