6 Feb Thur Lecture MCH1036 -
THE FOURTH ESTATE -
− The idea of the press as an independent ‘watchdog’ speaking truth to power
− This notion is still popular
− The concept of the fourth estate is central to liberal narratives of journalism history
James Curran on liberal narratives -
− First interpretation/ ‘Whig’ version: an increasingly independent press subjected authority to
critical scrutiny, and represented the views of the public to parliament and government
− Second interpretation: the leading section of the press represented primarily the expanding
groups of the ‘new’ commercial and industrial society
− Third interpretation: the press contributed to the judicious maturing of the democratic system
by relaying the concerns of pressure groups to government and enabling society to commune
freely with itself
Just 3 companies dominate 90% of national newspaper circulation
71% of the UK’s 1189 local newspapers are owned by just 6 companies
10 of the top 15 online platforms used to access news in the UK are owned by Meta, Alphabet and X
Corp
The New Journalism (19th Century Britain)
The rise of the press barons -
− “The technological advances which promised a more attractive and profitable product for a
wider audience attracted more commercial entrepreneurs into an industry which offered
increasing returns on their investment through wider distribution and more astute harnessing
of advertising” (Conboy 2004: 166).
−
Myth of the fourth estate – has it ever fully been outside of power
THE FOURTH ESTATE -
− The idea of the press as an independent ‘watchdog’ speaking truth to power
− This notion is still popular
− The concept of the fourth estate is central to liberal narratives of journalism history
James Curran on liberal narratives -
− First interpretation/ ‘Whig’ version: an increasingly independent press subjected authority to
critical scrutiny, and represented the views of the public to parliament and government
− Second interpretation: the leading section of the press represented primarily the expanding
groups of the ‘new’ commercial and industrial society
− Third interpretation: the press contributed to the judicious maturing of the democratic system
by relaying the concerns of pressure groups to government and enabling society to commune
freely with itself
Just 3 companies dominate 90% of national newspaper circulation
71% of the UK’s 1189 local newspapers are owned by just 6 companies
10 of the top 15 online platforms used to access news in the UK are owned by Meta, Alphabet and X
Corp
The New Journalism (19th Century Britain)
The rise of the press barons -
− “The technological advances which promised a more attractive and profitable product for a
wider audience attracted more commercial entrepreneurs into an industry which offered
increasing returns on their investment through wider distribution and more astute harnessing
of advertising” (Conboy 2004: 166).
−
Myth of the fourth estate – has it ever fully been outside of power
