Watchdog journalism is a type of investigative journalism Investigative journalism is a form of journalism in which reporters deeply investigate a single topic of interest, often involving crime, political corruption, or corporate wrongdoing. An investigative journalist may spend months or years researching and preparing a report. Most investigative journalism is done by newspapers, wire services and. It refers to forms of activist Activism consists of intentional action to bring about social, political, economic, or environmental change. This action is in support of, or opposition to, one side of an often controversial argument. In contemporary use, "activism" tends to be a word associated with the actions and ideologies of those on the political left journalism aimed at holding accountable public personalities and institutions whose functions impact social and political life. The term lapdog journalism is sometimes used as a conceptual opposite to watchdog journalism.
Watchdog journalism is most commonly found in think tanks A think tank is an organization or individual that conducts research and engages in advocacy in areas such as social policy, political strategy, economy, science or technology issues, industrial or business policies, or military advice. Many think tanks are non-profit organizations, which some countries such as the United States and Canada provide, alternative media Alternative media are media which are alternatives to the business or government-owned mass media. Proponents of alternative media argue that the mainstream media are biased. While sources of alternative media can also be biased (sometimes proudly so), proponents claim that the bias is significantly different than that of the mainstream media,, and citizen journalism such as blogs A blog is a type of website or part of a website. Blogs are usually maintained by an individual with regular entries of commentary, descriptions of events, or other material such as graphics or video. Entries are commonly displayed in reverse-chronological order. "Blog" can also be used as a verb, meaning to maintain or add content to a. It is occasionally found in mainstream media The term mainstream media denotes those media disseminated via the largest distribution channels, which therefore represent what the majority of media consumers are likely to encounter. The term also denotes those media generally reflective of the prevailing currents of thought, influence, or activity as well. Since independent media and think tanks are not profit-oriented, they have more latitude in which to adopt strong positions and cover a wide range of topics. However, it is also more difficult to determine the backing of non-mainstream outlets so those are sometime subject to covert exploitation by well-funded interests.
In recent history, a notable example of watchdog journalism was the exposure of Dan Rather Daniel Irvin "Dan" Rather, Jr. is an American journalist who is the former news anchor for the CBS Evening News. He is now managing editor and anchor of a television news magazine, Dan Rather Reports, on the cable channel HDNet. Rather was anchor of the CBS Evening News for 24 years, from March 9, 1981, to March 9, 2005. He also's investigative segment which cast George W. Bush George Walker Bush ( /ˈdʒɔrdʒ ˈwɔːkər ˈbʊʃ/ ; born July 6, 1946) was the 43rd President of the United States, serving from 2001 to 2009, and the 46th Governor of Texas, serving from 1995 to 2000's military record in an unfavorable light. The segment was based on the Killian documents The Killian documents controversy involved six documents critical of President George W. Bush's service in the Air National Guard in 1972–73. Four of these documents were presented as authentic in a 60 Minutes Wednesday broadcast aired by CBS on September 8, 2004, less than two months before the 2004 Presidential Election, but it was later found, which blogger journalists exposed as being insufficiently verifiable as authentic.
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Media watchdog journalism
Some watchdog journalism focuses on bias in the media Media bias refers to the bias of journalists and news producers within the mass media, in the selection of which events and stories are reported and how they are covered. The term "media bias" implies a pervasive or widespread bias contravening the standards of journalism, rather than the perspective of an individual journalist or. For examples from the United States ^ b. English is the de facto language of American government and the sole language spoken at home by 80% of Americans age five and older. Spanish is the second most commonly spoken language, see list in Media bias in the United States Media bias in the United States is the description of media systematically presenting a particular point of view. Claims of bias in the media include claims of liberal bias, conservative bias, mainstream bias, and corporate bias. There are a variety of watchdog groups that attempt to find the facts behind both biased reporting and unfounded claims. In the UK where there is greater national coverage, watchdog journalism is very effective and consumers' rights are upheld both by radio, television and most national newspapers.
See also
- Accuracy in Media Accuracy In Media is a conservative non-profit American news media watchdog. Founded in 1969 by Reed Irvine, at the time an economist with the Federal Reserve, AIM describes itself as "a non-profit, grassroots citizens watchdog of the news media that critiques botched and bungled news stories and sets the record straight on important issues
- Alternative media Alternative media are media which are alternatives to the business or government-owned mass media. Proponents of alternative media argue that the mainstream media are biased. While sources of alternative media can also be biased (sometimes proudly so), proponents claim that the bias is significantly different than that of the mainstream media,
- Debunker A debunker is an individual who discredits and exposes claims as being false, exaggerated or pretentious. The term is closely associated with skeptical investigation of topics such as U.F.O.s, claimed paranormal phenomena, conspiracy theories, alternative medicine, religion, or pseudoscientific research
- Investigative journalism Investigative journalism is a form of journalism in which reporters deeply investigate a single topic of interest, often involving crime, political corruption, or corporate wrongdoing. An investigative journalist may spend months or years researching and preparing a report. Most investigative journalism is done by newspapers, wire services and
- Journalism Journalism is the investigation and reporting of events, issues, and trends to a broad audience. Although there is much variation within journalism, the ideal is to inform the citizenry. Besides covering organizations and institutions such as government and business, journalism also covers cultural aspects of society such as arts and entertainment
- Media Matters for America Media Matters for America is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization founded in 2004 by journalist and author David Brock. Media Matters for America describes itself as "a web-based, not-for-profit, progressive research and information center dedicated to comprehensively monitoring, analyzing, and correcting conservative misinformation in the U.S
- Media Research Center The Media Research Center is a content analysis organization based in Alexandria, Virginia, founded in 1987 by conservative activist L. Brent Bozell III. Its stated mission, according to its website, is "to bring balance and responsibility to the news media", and the MRC catalogs and reports on what it asserts to be widespread liberal
- Muckraker A muckraker is, primarily, a reporter or writer who investigates and publishes truthful reports involving a host of social issues, broadly including crime and corruption and often involving elected officials, political leaders and influential members of business and industry. The term is closely associated with a number of important writers who
References
- Marder, Murray. This Is Watchdog Journalism. Nieman Reports (Nieman Foundation for Journalism at Harvard University Harvard University is a private university located in Cambridge, Massachusetts, and a member of the Ivy League. Established in 1636 by the colonial Massachusetts legislature, Harvard is the first corporation chartered in the United States and oldest institution of higher learning in the United States) 53.2 (Summer 1998). Online posting. August 28, 2000. Accessed August 28, 2007. ["This excerpt is from remarks made by Murrey Marder, Nieman Fellow 1950 and retired Diplomatic Correspondent of The Washington Post The Washington Post is Washington, D.C.'s largest newspaper and its oldest, founded in 1877. Located in the capital of the United States, The Post has a particular emphasis on national politics. D.C., Maryland, and Virginia editions are printed for daily circulation, at the dinner of the first Nieman Watchdog Journalism Conference in Cambridge, Massachusetts, May 1, 1998."]
External links
- Nieman Watchdog: Questions the Press Should Ask – Official site (Nieman Foundation for Journalism at Harvard University Harvard University is a private university located in Cambridge, Massachusetts, and a member of the Ivy League. Established in 1636 by the colonial Massachusetts legislature, Harvard is the first corporation chartered in the United States and oldest institution of higher learning in the United States).
- National Center for Policy Analysis (NCPA) Citizen Journalism website
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It's killing their journalism , it's killing their cost structure, it's killing their business models and it's really terrible. ashley hall: Eric Beecher ...
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use quick hit watchdog journalism to investigate local issues and blog about what they do By Raquel Rutledge and Ellen Gabler Joyce Hill had tried everything she could imagine She complained to the state consumer protection agency She hired a private investigator Nobody could help her Hill a longtime factory
Teri Sforza, Register staff writer
ue, 12 Jan 2010 18:00:24 GM
You know that you are compromising your . journalistic. responsibilities. And NO ONE on your side of the aisle will even address our concerns about your silence, let alone do something to correct it! We live in a country that touts itself to promote . ... Why doesn't the . Watchdog. do a follow up on that story? Why did this story fall off the planet? Where's the transparency? IMO this immigration article was just meant to soften people up for amnesty. I am not buying it. ...
