The Media for Democracy Monitor

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