Critical approaches to the media
The changing context for investigative journalism
Bibliographic Data
| ID | 20064079 |
|---|---|
| Authors | Deborah Chambers (0000-0002-5646-3085, corresponding author) |
| Year | 2013 |
| Pages | 87-103 |
| Publication date | 2013-01-11 |
| Open Access | No |
| Type | CHAPTER |
| Venue | Investigative Journalism (SOURCE_BOOK) |
| Publisher | Routledge (PUBLISHER • GB) |
| DOI | 10.4324/9780203360804-12 |
| OpenAlex | W2528356227 |
| ISBN | 9780203360804 |
| Language | EN |
| Citations received | 4 |
Investigative journalism has been flourishing in the last three decades of the twentieth century. Recent changes in the media market place are now raising important questions about the future climate in which the profession operates and providing us with clues about the possible changing nature of its practices. By visiting the wider social context in which investigative journalism takes place, in this chapter we identify the economic and cultural constraints being placed on investigative journalism during the early twenty-first century and ask whether they are restricting or reshaping the profession. We begin by inquiring about the values of social responsibility and the public service role of investigative journalism that are upheld in liberal democracies. The mechanisms of democratic accountability embedded in the ideals of press freedom are examined in terms of how effective they are in protecting investigative journalism against partial commercial or state interests. Selected current debates in media theory that relate to investigative journalism are then explored, covering economic and ideological factors which influence the products and practices of journalism. The ‘political economy’ approach is focused on to assess the impact on journalism of media deregulation, changing patterns of media ownership, and intensified media competition. Classic media research conducted within the ‘critical and cultural’ approach is then reviewed to explore the ideological factors that influence journalistic reporting. Finally, key changes in media organisations that have led to a casualisation of the journalism profession and the rise in demand for journalistic skills in the form of press officers and public relations staff are visited in relation to these trends
Archaeology · Epistemology · Journalism · Media studies · Political science · Sociology · History · Media Studies and Communication · Philosophy
| Citations per year | 0.27 |
|---|---|
| Citation span | 2011 - 2026 (16) |
| Highly cited | No |