Journalism and Society

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 Coleman
Professor 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 Christians
University of Illinois

This is going to be a must-read in journalism and communication classes. McQuail quality as we know it.
Christina Holtz-Bacha
University 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 Deuze
University 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 Bardoel
Professor 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 unde...

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.

CHAPTER ONE: WHAT IS JOURNALISM? HOW LINKED TO SOCIETY? Introduction Origins of Journalism The Journalism-Society Link: Levels of Analysis and Theoretical Perspectives The Main Concerns of Social Theory of Journalism Diversity and Diversification of Journalism Journalism and Changing Technology: Implications for Society Defining Journalism and the News Today The Press as an Institution The 'Power of the Press' What Society Expects from Journalism The Self-Image of the Social Role of the Press Conclusions: Questions to Be Addressed CHAPTER TWO: JOURNALISTIC RESPONSIBILITY TO SOCIETY Introduction Defining Journalistic Responsibility Publication and the Public Interest The Foundations of Journalistic Obligation Free Press Theory Journalism as Meeting Essential Needs of Society The Press as Fourth Estate The Idea of a Public Sphere Social Responsibility Theory Critical Theory Minority Media Theory; Democratic-Participant Theory New Movements in Journalism Internet News Theory Looking for a Structure in Social Theory of the Press Conclusion CHAPTER THREE: PRINCIPLES OF JOURNALISTIC PERFORMANCE Introduction Basic Publication Values in the Public Interest Truth as a Principle Freedom as a Principle Equality, Diversity and Solidarity as Principles Order and Cohesion as Principles Law and Order Civic Duty Public Decency and Morality Standards of Conduct for Journalists Conclusion CHAPTER FOUR: TOWARDS A FRAMEWORK OF ANALYSIS FOR JOURNALISM Introduction Alternative Approaches On Journalism as a Profession: A Unifying Approach Does Journalism have its Own Ideology? The Occupational Roles of Journalism Conflicts and Mixed Expectations Demand versus Supply of News Changing Goals and Types of Journalism If Not a Profession, at Least a 'Public Occupation' Conclusion CHAPTER FIVE: THE CENTRAL ROLE OF MONITOR AND MESSENGER Introduction The Main Roles or Functions of the Press The Monitor and Messenger Role Characterized Objectivity as a Guiding Principle Limitations to Objectivity Degrees of Purpose and Activity in Objective News Journalism Tensions Internal to the Monitorial Role The Monitorial Role and State Power The Monitorial Role and Democracy Sources of Bias in the Monitorial Role 'Media Logic' and 'Mediatization' Effects on Monitoring Conclusion CHAPTER SIX: MEDIA STRUCTURE, PERFORMANCE AND THE 'POWER OF THE PRESS' Introduction What Is a Media System? Influences from Social Structure on Media Systems Political Factors Economic Factors Social Cultural Influences Media System Influences on Journalistic Performance Influences at the Level of Organization The Question of Press Effects on Society Informational Effects of News Persuasion Influences via News Effects on Behaviour in Society, Individual and Collective In Overview: Primary Determinants of the 'Power of the Press' Conclusion CHAPTER SEVEN: ACCOUNTABILITY OF JOURNALISM TO SOCIETY Introduction The Main Issues of Regulation and Accountability Journalistic Responsibility Lines of Accountability of Journalism Forms of Governance and Accountability Applied to Journalism Mechanisms of Accountability: External Mechanisms of Accountability: Internal Informal (and Illegitimate) Mechanisms of Control/Accountability Three Frames of Accountability Relationship Accountability in Overview In Conclusion CHAPTER EIGHT: CHANGING MEDIA TECHNOLOGY: CONSEQUENCES FOR JOURNALISM, PRESS INSTITUTION AND ITS RELATIONS WITH SOCIETY. Introduction The Potential of the Internet and Other New Media Problematic Aspects of Media Change Initial Signs of Change The Internet: Liberating Promise Unfulfilled? Effects of Media Change on Journalism Itself The Future of the Press Institution The Journalism-Society Relationship The Question of Trust Consequences for the Public Sphere In Overview Conclusions CHAPTER NINE: CONCLUSIONS: STRIKING A NORMATIVE BALANCE Introduction A Frame of Reference for Journalism and Society Normative Contexts and Choices: Different Levels of Application Journalism in an Informa