“a public space between the private domain and the state in which public opionion was formed and ‘popular’ supervision of government was established”

The public sphere connects people together and it is the idea that we are connected horizontally. This could be through communication in public spaces or social spaces for example a coffee shop or your workplace. Reading, writing and newspapers is a part of this as it allows us to connect with each other and different parts of the world. The invention of the internet has allowed us to have connections with each other too.

Habermas explores the way in which the news is discussed in the public sphere.

The concept of public interest:

• The mass media carry out some essential tasks for the wider benefit of society
• something is in the public interest if it serves the whole of society instead of a specific group
• public control or deregulation (extension of the free market)