Reviving the Fourth Estate: Democracy, Accountability and the Media

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Cambridge University Press, 1998 M11 16 - 304 pages
The news media is traditionally the watchdog of democracy. Today, it is also one of the most pervasive global industries. In this lively and accessible book, Schultz systematically analyses the role of journalism in Australia and the scope of its democratic purpose. She examines key news stories, and looks at the attitudes of Australian journalists themselves. The fourth estate remains the ideal of most journalists, but the reality has been impaired by the increasing concentration of media ownership and by political, ethical and occupational interests. While Australian journalism has become bolder and more investigative, increasing commercialism and decreasing ethical standards have left the public sceptical. Schultz argues for a revival of the fourth estate based on journalistic independence and poltical autonomy, together with increased accountability and responsiveness.

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Contents

IV
15
V
23
VI
47
VII
69
VIII
95
IX
117
X
136
XI
166
XII
195
XIII
230
XIV
239
XV
277
XVI
293
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About the author (1998)

Professor Julianne Schultz was born in 1956 in Australia. She is a journalist, academic, and author who has edited over 30 books. She is also the founding editor of the Australian literary journal Griffith Review. She is currently a Professor at Griffith University's Centre for Public Culture and Ideas and is Chair of the Queensland Design Council. She is also the librettist of two operas composed by her brother, Andrew Schultz, titled Black River and Going into Shadows. Schultz completed a PhD at the University of Sydney in 1987, in which she explored the contemporary relevance of the fourth estate to the practice of journalism in Australia. Schultz began her career as a reporter with the ABC, moving then to report for the Australian Financial Review. While working at the University of Technology, Schultz became the Founding Director of the Australian Centre for Independent Journalism. She is a director of the board of the following organisations: The Grattan Institute, The Foundation for Public Interest Journalism, The Centre for Advanced Journalism, and The Editorial Board of the Companion of Australian Media. She was a director of the Australian Broadcasting Corporation between 2009 and 2014. She will be speaking at the inaugural History Writers' Festival at Readers' Feast Bookstore in Melbourne in April 2015.

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