Journalism Flashcards
It must provide a forum for public criticism and compromise
The news media are common carriers of public discussion
and this
responsibility forms a basis for special privileges that news and information
providers receive from democratic societies.
These privileges can involve subsidies for distribution or research and
development (lower postal rates for print
use of public spectrum by
broadcasters
development and management of the Internet) to laws
protecting content and free speech (copyright
libel
These privileges
however
are conferred because of the need for an abundant supply of information.
They are predicated on the assumption that journalism - because of its
principles and practices - will supply a steady stream of higher quality
content that citizens andgovernment will use to make better decisions.
Traditionally
this covenant has been between news organizations and
government. The new forms of digital media
however
on everyone who “publishes” content - whether for profit or for personal
satisfaction - in the public domain.
The raw material cast into the marketplace of ideas sustains civic dialogue
and serves society best when it consists of verified information rather than
just prejudice and supposition.
Journalism should also attempt to fairly represent varied viewpoints and
interests in society and to place them in context rather than highlight only
the conflicting fringes of debate. Accuracy and truthfulness also require that
the public discussion not neglect points of common ground or instances
where problems are not just identified but also solved.
Journalism
then
one’s voice to the conversation. Journalism carries with it a responsibility to
improve the quality of debate by providing verified information and
intellectual rigor. A forum without regard for facts fails to inform and
degrades rather than improves the quality and effectiveness of citizen
decision-making.
