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Journalism and Society
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Journalism and Society

First Edition

Other Titles in:
Journalism | Mass Communication

March 2013 | 256 pages | SAGE Publications Ltd
"Every serious student of journalism should read this book... Denis McQuail has succeeded in producing a work of scholarship that shows what journalists do and what they should do."
- Stephen Coleman, University of Leeds

"For a half century we have spoken earnestly of journalism's responsibility to society instead of to business and government. Now this concept is given sophistication unmatched, by the best scholar of media theory of his generation."
- Clifford Christians, University of Illinois

"The grand old man of communication theory presents an overarching social theory of journalism that goes beyond the usual Anglo-American focus."
- Jo Bardoel, University of Amsterdam (ASCoR) and Nijmegen

"This book deals with the eternal question of how journalism is linked to society... I cannot think of a better staple food for students of journalism at all levels."
- Kaarle Nordenstreng, University of Tampere

This is a major new statement on the role of journalism in democracy from one of media and communication's leading thinkers. Denis McQuail leads the reader through a systematic exploration of how and why journalism and society have become so inextricably entwined and - as importantly - what this relationship should be like. It is a strong re-statement of the fundamental values that journalism aspires to. Written for students, this book:
  • Makes the theory accessible and relevant
  • Teaches the importance of journalism to power and politics
  • Explores the status and future of journalism as a profession
  • Outlines the impact and consequences of the digital
  • Reveals journalism as it is, but also as it should be
  • Takes each chapter further with guided reading list and free online journal articles.

This textbook is the perfect answer to the how and why of journalism. It is crucial reading for any student of media studies, communication studies and journalism.

 
Preface
 
WHAT IS JOURNALISM? HOW IS IT LINKED TO SOCIETY?
 
Introduction
 
Origins of Journalism
 
The Journalism-Society Link: Levels of Analysis and Theoretical Perspectives
 
The Main Concerns of Social Theory of Journalism
 
Diversity and Diversification of Journalism
 
Journalism and Changing Technology: Implications for Society
 
Defining Journalism and the News Today
 
The Press as an Institution
 
The 'Power of the Press'
 
What Society Expects from Journalism
 
The Self-Image of the Social Role of the Press
 
Conclusions: Questions to Be Addressed
 
JOURNALISTIC RESPONSIBILITY TO SOCIETY
 
Introduction
 
Defining Journalistic Responsibility
 
Publication and the Public Interest
 
The Foundations of Journalistic Obligation
 
Free Press Theory
 
Journalism as Meeting Essential Needs of Society
 
The Press as Fourth Estate
 
The Idea of a 'Public Sphere'
 
Social Responsibility Theory
 
Critical Theory
 
Minority Media Theory; Democratic-Participant Theory
 
New Movements in Journalism
 
Internet News Theory
 
Looking for a Structure in Social Theory of the Press
 
Conclusion
 
PRINCIPLES OF JOURNALISTIC PERFORMANCE
 
Introduction
 
Basic Publication Values in the Public Interest
 
Truth as a Principle
 
Freedom as a Principle
 
Equality, Diversity and Solidarity as Principles
 
Order and Cohesion as Principles for Journalism
 
Conclusion
 
TOWARDS A FRAMEWORK OF ANALYSIS FOR JOURNALISM
 
Introduction
 
Alternative Approaches
 
On Journalism as a Profession: A Unifying Approach
 
Does Journalism have its Own 'Ideology'?
 
The Occupational Roles of Journalism
 
Conflicts and Mixed Expectations
 
Demand versus Supply of News
 
Changing Goals and Types of Journalism
 
If Not a Profession, at Least a 'Public Occupation'
 
Conclusion
 
THE CENTRAL ROLE OF MONITOR AND MESSENGER
 
Introduction
 
The Main Roles or Functions of the Press
 
The Monitor and Messenger Role Characterized
 
Objectivity as a Guiding Principle
 
Limitations to Objectivity
 
Degrees of Purpose and Activity in Objective News Journalism
 
Tensions Internal to the Monitorial Role
 
The Monitorial Role and State Power
 
The Monitorial Role and Democracy
 
Sources of Bias in the Monitorial Role
 
'Media Logic' and 'Mediatisation' Effects on Monitoring
 
Conclusion
 
MEDIA STRUCTURE, PERFORMANCE AND THE 'POWER OF THE PRESS'
 
Introduction
 
What Is a Media System?
 
Influences from Social Structure on Media Systems
 
Political Factors
 
Economic Factors
 
Social Cultural Influences
 
Media System Influences on Journalism
 
Influences at the Level of Organisation
 
The Question of Press Effects on Society
 
Informational Effects of News
 
Persuasion Influences via News
 
Effects on Behaviour in Society - Individual and Collective
 
In Overview: Primary Determinants of the 'Power of the Press'
 
Conclusion
 
ACCOUNTABILITY OF JOURNALISM TO SOCIETY
 
Introduction
 
The Main Issues of Regulation and Accountability
 
Journalistic Responsibility
 
The Accountability of Journalism
 
Lines of Accountability of Journalism
 
Forms of Governance and Accountability Applied to Journalism
 
Mechanisms of Accountability: External
 
Mechanisms of Accountability: Internal
 
Informal and 'Illegitimate' Mechanisms of Control/Accountability
 
Three Frames of Accountability Relationship
 
Accountability in Overview
 
Conclusion
 
CHANGING MEDIA TECHNOLOGY: CONSEQUENCES FOR JOURNALISM, PRESS INSTITUTION AND ITS RELATIONS WITH SOCIETY
 
Introduction
 
The Potential of the Internet and Other New Media
 
Problematic Aspects of Media Change
 
Initial Signs of Change
 
The Internet: Liberating Promise Unfulfilled?
 
Effects of Media Change on Journalism Itself
 
The Future of the Press Institution
 
The Journalism-Society Relationship
 
The Question of Trust
 
Consequences for the Public Sphere
 
In Overview
 
Conclusion
 
IN CONCLUSION: STRIKING A NORMATIVE BALANCE
 
Introduction
 
A Frame of Reference for Journalism and Society
 
Normative Contexts and Choices: Different Levels of Application
 
Journalism in an Information Society
 
The Main Normative Issues of Journalism and Society in Review
 
Towards a Universal Normative Theory of Journalism?
 
The Consequences of Ongoing Changes in Media Technology and Structure for Normative Relations between Journalism and Society
 
What Can Be Done? Reflections on the Chances for Better Journalism
 
Last Word
 
Appendix: Selectde Documents Relating to Righrs and Obligations of News Media
 
References
 
Index

An excellent book from a popular author that supports critical studies in journalism.

Ms Deborah Gabriel
School of Arts and Media, Salford University
May 5, 2013
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Denis McQuail

Denis McQuail (1935-2017) was Emeritus Professor at the School of Communication Research (ASCOR) University of Amsterdam and Visiting Professor in the Department of Politics at the University of Southampton. He studied history and sociology at the University of Oxford and received his Ph.D. from the University of Leeds. He is an Honorary Doctor of the University of Gent. He has published widely in the field of media and communication, with particular reference to audience research, media policy and performance, and political communication. His most recent book publication is McQuail's Media and Mass Communication Theory, 7th edition., SAGE... More About Author

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