Journalism and Society

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, 2020, co-authored by Mark Deuze.

Every serious student of journalism should read this book. Combining sophisticated analysis with an accessible writing style, Denis McQuail has succeeded in producing a work of scholarship that shows what journalists do and what they should do.Stephen ColemanProfessor of Political Communication, Institute of Communications Studies, University of Leeds This luminous book sets a new standard for the textbook genre. Brilliant in contents, crystal-clear precision where every sentence counts, rigorous with ideas, it teaches the world mind. 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 ChristiansUniversity of Illinois This is going to be a must-read in journalism and communication classes. McQuail quality as we know it.Christina Holtz-BachaUniversity of Erlangen-Nuremberg Journalism, as a profession, evolves, becoming increasingly complex and diverse. Especially now we need to be reminded where it came from, how it works, and where it stands in society. Denis McQuail provides the indispensable gateway.Mark DeuzeUniversity of Amsterdam At a time when the journalistic profession is fundamentally challenged by technological transformations and new business models, Denis McQuail reminds us of the continuing social and political relevance of journalism in and for democratic societies. The grand old man of communication theory presents an overarching social theory of journalism that goes beyond the usual Anglo-American focus and develops a truly global scope, reflecting both his own previous work as well as that of many others. The master of synthesis offers an excellent overview of the position and mission of journalism in an information society that opens up the field of journalism and journalism studies for both students and scholars.Jo BardoelProfessor of Journalism and Media, University of Amsterdam (ASCoR) and Nijmegen, the Netherlands In Journalism and Society Denis McQuail is at his best. He presents a very insightful revision of the sociological reflection on journalism and society, discussing the important implications of the new communication technologies for journalism of the 21st century. The declared aim of the book is to identify and describe the principles of journalism most widely recognized. McQuail goes well beyond, providing sound theoretical foundations of a new sociological paradigm of public communication in deeply transformed media and information environments. At the same time the book is a firm guide in the understanding of the principles of a profession that is a core activity of modern societies. A must-read book for students, academics and journalists.Gianpietro MazzoleniProfessor of Sociology of Communication, University of Milan, Italy This book deals with the eternal question of how journalism is linked to society. Its nine chapters cover all pertinent aspects of journalism, including its freedom and responsibility, as well as issues such as the power of the press and the future of the press as an institution in the age of internet. All this is done with an analytical insight of the encyclopedic authority behind Mass Communication Theory. Also, pedagogically it is an exemplary textbook with each chapter including boxes to summarize the points, a conclusion to wind up, and selected further readings to support homework. I cannot think of a better staple food for students of journalism at all levels.Kaarle NordenstrengProfessor Emeritus of Journalism and Mass Communication, University of Tampere, Finland

• PrefaceWHAT IS JOURNALISM? HOW IS IT LINKED TO SOCIETY?IntroductionOrigins of JournalismThe Journalism-Society Link: Levels of Analysis and Theoretical PerspectivesThe Main Concerns of Social Theory of JournalismDiversity and Diversification of JournalismJournalism and Changing Technology: Implications for SocietyDefining Journalism and the News TodayThe Press as an InstitutionThe ′Power of the Press′What Society Expects from JournalismThe Self-Image of the Social Role of the PressConclusions: Questions to Be AddressedJOURNALISTIC RESPONSIBILITY TO SOCIETY IntroductionDefining Journalistic ResponsibilityPublication and the Public InterestThe Foundations of Journalistic ObligationFree Press TheoryJournalism as Meeting Essential Needs of SocietyThe Press as Fourth EstateThe Idea of a ′Public Sphere′Social Responsibility TheoryCritical TheoryMinority Media Theory; Democratic-Participant TheoryNew Movements in JournalismInternet News TheoryLooking for a Structure in Social Theory of the PressConclusionPRINCIPLES OF JOURNALISTIC PERFORMANCEIntroductionBasic Publication Values in the Public InterestTruth as a Principle Freedom as a Principle Equality, Diversity and Solidarity as PrinciplesOrder and Cohesion as Principles for JournalismConclusionTOWARDS A FRAMEWORK OF ANALYSIS FOR JOURNALISMIntroductionAlternative ApproachesOn Journalism as a Profession: A Unifying ApproachDoes Journalism have its Own ′Ideology′?The Occupational Roles of JournalismConflicts and Mixed ExpectationsDemand versus Supply of NewsChanging Goals and Types of JournalismIf Not a Profession, at Least a ′Public Occupation′ConclusionTHE CENTRAL ROLE OF MONITOR AND MESSENGERIntroduction The Main Roles or Functions of the PressThe Monitor and Messenger Role CharacterizedObjectivity as a Guiding PrincipleLimitations to ObjectivityDegrees of Purpose and Activity in Objective News JournalismTensions Internal to the Monitorial RoleThe Monitorial Role and State PowerThe Monitorial Role and DemocracySources of Bias in the Monitorial Role′Media Logic′ and ′Mediatisation′ Effects on MonitoringConclusionMEDIA STRUCTURE, PERFORMANCE AND THE ′POWER OF THE PRESS′IntroductionWhat Is a Media System?Influences from Social Structure on Media SystemsPolitical FactorsEconomic FactorsSocial Cultural InfluencesMedia System Influences on JournalismInfluences at the Level of OrganisationThe Question of Press Effects on SocietyInformational Effects of NewsPersuasion Influences via NewsEffects on Behaviour in Society - Individual and CollectiveIn Overview: Primary Determinants of the ′Power of the Press′ConclusionACCOUNTABILITY OF JOURNALISM TO SOCIETYIntroductionThe Main Issues of Regulation and AccountabilityJournalistic ResponsibilityThe Accountability of JournalismLines of Accountability of JournalismForms of Governance and Accountability Applied to JournalismMechanisms of Accountability: ExternalMechanisms of Accountability: InternalInformal and ′Illegitimate′ Mechanisms of Control/AccountabilityThree Frames of Accountability RelationshipAccountability in OverviewConclusionCHANGING MEDIA TECHNOLOGY: CONSEQUENCES FOR JOURNALISM, PRESS INSTITUTION AND ITS RELATIONS WITH SOCIETYIntroductionThe Potential of the Internet and Other New MediaProblematic Aspects of Media ChangeInitial Signs of ChangeThe Internet: Liberating Promise Unfulfilled?Effects of Media Change on Journalism ItselfThe Future of the Press InstitutionThe Journalism-Society RelationshipThe Question of TrustConsequences for the Public SphereIn OverviewConclusionIN CONCLUSION: STRIKING A NORMATIVE BALANCEIntroduction A Frame of Reference for Journalism and SocietyNormative Contexts and Choices: Different Levels of ApplicationJournalism in an Information SocietyThe Main Normative Issues of Journalism and Society in ReviewTowards a Universal Normative Theory of Journalism?The Consequences of Ongoing Changes in Media Technology and Structure for Normative Relations between Journalism and SocietyWhat Can Be Done? Reflections on the Chances for Better JournalismLast WordAppendix: Selectde Documents Relating to Righrs and Obligations of News MediaReferencesIndex