Abstract
Result of various recent elections and referenda in liberal democracies suggests that societies in respected countries have a tendency to be divided into two intolerant (and frequently equally strong) parties. Sociology speaks about phenomenon called "divided society" which can be, at least partly, explained as a result of "new" media.
Contemporary social and mass are supposed to play a substantial role in strengthening this trend. How has been the journalism as a historical form of social practice influenced by the phenomenon of "divided society"? The contribution tries to summarize the main features of current development of the role of journalism as a historical feature (namely weakening of its integrating role) and analyzes factors which are behind the changes (namely weakening of national state and symmetric communication).