Journalism

Journalism is sometimes called the Fourth Estate. Edmund Burke argued in the nineteenth century that free journalists are key to a democracy. Their mission is lofty. They are the ones who call all powerful groups to account in the press, thus enabling democratic debate on issues of importance.

But the news is also two things at once. Yes, it continues to be a public service, something that plays a role in raising important issues, holding powerful people to account and binding communities together – or sometimes tearing them apart.  But news is also a commodity, a daily service provided by news organisations such as newspapers, radio, television and on-line versions of these, in order to make a profit. So we shouldn’t be surprised at the commercial imperative at work to make the news appeal to as many people as possible and to reflect the points of view of the majority. But In fact, people consume the news partly because it is more than  just another commodity, it is also a way of participating in community and public debate.  Read more