The Internet has really democratized ideas. There are no real gatekeepers any more, because if you have a great idea, and you put it online, people will find it and it will get in front of who it needs to get in front of.
But particularly when the media profess to strive toward objectivity, gatekeepers play a crucial role in helping people navigate the news to make educated political decisions.
I come from the school who thought the Internet could be the great democratising force, that getting rid of the gatekeepers was a positive move.
The imminent demise of the large record companies as gatekeepers of the world's popular music is a good thing, for the most part.
I'm a gatekeeper, and the gatekeepers all used to be mostly old, white men.