The Media for Democracy Monitor
A Cross National Study of Leading News Media
To what extent do the structures and conduct of leading news media correspond with their specific democratic role? Authors from 10 countries provide empirical evidence based on the 26 indicators included in the Media for Democracy Monitor.
This book addresses, on the one hand, the academic community with the intention to further the debate on the role of leading mass media within contemporary democracies. New developments such as social media and the ongoing media crisis in many countries are likely to require further observation by academic research. On the other hand, the book provides input for the debate going on within media professional circles and their own perception of the role the news media play in democratic societies. The findings expose the leading news media to criticism from different perspectives, but they may also encourage media professionals to study best business practices in other countries – and perhaps to learn from experience abroad. Studying practices in other countries may cause longstanding newsroom habits to be questioned and revised.
Content
Editorial
Josef Trappel, Hannu Nieminen, Lars Nord
Why Democracy Needs Media Monitoring
Josef Trappel
Indicators and Definitions
André Donk, Josef Trappel
Australia: Committed to Investigative Journalism
Beate Josephi
Austria: Informal Rules and Strong Traditions
Manuela Grünangerl, Josef Trappel
Finland: High Professional Ethos in a Small, Concentrated Media Market
Kari Karppinen, Hannu Nieminen, Anna-Laura Markkanen
Germany: The News Media are Still Able to Play a Supportive Role for Democracy
Frank Marcinkowski, André Donk
Lithuania: Mixed Professional Values in a Small and Highly Blurred Media Environment
Auksė Balčytienė
The Netherlands: Although There is No Need for Dramatization, Vigilance is Required
Leen d’Haenens, Quint Kik
Portugal: A Young Democracy Still in Progress
Joaquim Fidalgo
Sweden: A Mixed Media Model under Market Pressures
Torbjörn von Krogh, Lars Nord
Switzerland: Swiss Quality Media: A Reduced Protection Forest for Democracy
Werner A. Meier, Alexandra Gmür, Martina Leonarz
UK: UK News Media and Democracy: Professional Autonomy and its Limits
Peter Humphreys
Democratic Functions under Pressure: Conclusions
Lars Nord, Hannu Nieminen, Josef Trappel
The Authors
