Reviving the fourth estate : democracy, accountability, and the media
The news media is traditionally the watchdog of democracy. Today, it is also one of the most pervasive global industries. 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 political autonomy, together with increased accountability and responsiveness
Print Book, English, 1998
Cambridge University Press, Cambridge, UK, 1998
xi, 304 pages ; 24 cm
9780521620420, 9780521629706, 0521620422, 0521629705
38924572
Introduction : paradoxes of the bastard estate
1. Redefining the fourth estate
2. The fourth estate : a changing doctrine
3. The idealised watchdog estate
4. The other estates question the fourth
5. Contests to the institutional legitimacy of the fourth estate
6. Accepting the ideal
7. Testing the ideal
8. From reporting to investigating
9. Challenging power : reporting in the 1980s
10. Reviving the fourth estate
Appendix
List of references
Index
English