Reviving the Fourth Estate Democracy, Accountability and the Media [Hardcover]

This lively and accessible book analyses the role of journalism and the scope of its democratic purpose.This lively and accessible book analyses the role of journalism and the scope of its democratic purpose. Schultz examines key news stories, and looks at the attitudes of Australian journalists themselves. The ideal of the fourth estate has been impaired by concentrated media ownership and by commercial, political, ethical and occupational interests. Schultz argues for a revival of the fourth estate based on journalistic independence and poltical autonomy, together with increased accountability and responsiveness.This lively and accessible book analyses the role of journalism and the scope of its democratic purpose. Schultz examines key news stories, and looks at the attitudes of Australian journalists themselves. The ideal of the fourth estate has been impaired by concentrated media ownership and by commercial, political, ethical and occupational interests. Schultz argues for a revival of the fourth estate based on journalistic independence and poltical autonomy, together with increased accountability and responsiveness.This lively and accessible book analyzes the role of journalism and the scope of its democratic purpose. Schultz examines key news stories, and looks at the attitudes of Australian journalists themselves. The ideal of the fourth estate has been impaired by concentrated media ownership and by commercial, political, ethical and occupational interests. Schultz argues for a revival of the fourth estate based on journalistic independence and political autonomy, together with increased accountability and responsiveness.Preface: Paradoxes of the bastard estate; 1. Redefining the fourth estate; 2. The idealised watchdog estate; 3. The fourth estate - a changing doctrine; 3 The other estates question the fourth; 5. Five contests to institutional legitimacy; 6. Accepting the ideal; 7. In whole public interest; 8. From reporting to investigating; 9. Challengilc