pluralist views of news

Question 1

pluralism / neo-pluralism

Answer 1

nick and davies - flat earth news - neo-pluralism

• journalists no longer concerned about checking facts - become churnalists - passive processors of unchecked, second-hand material - biased and inaccurate news
• problem lies in commercial rather than ideological pressure
• primary purpose of newspaper is to make money
• pursuit of profit - pressure on journalists to deliver audiences to advertisers by giving people what they want to hear

Question 2

pluralism eval

Answer 2

strength
- empirical evidence to support davies - 2008 study - 2000 news stories from Uk newspapers - only 12% wholly composed of material researched by reports - 80% news agencies - facts checked in only 12%
- average journalists now fills 3 times space as in 1985 and 1/3 less time to create - churnalism

limitation
- marxists - journalist never tried to be democratic
- truth-telling never primary function - ideological construction to benefit ruling class