24. Journalism, Censorship, and Press Freedom
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Cherian George
Abstract
Press freedom and censorship demands new empirical as well as conceptual research that responds to the diversity of media systems that cannot be captured within binary free/unfree categories. This article surveys threats to press freedom emanating from the state, the market, and the people. Direct state censorship still exists, but most states rely increasingly on more subtle and indirect means of media control. Market forces, including media owners, are another source of restriction. The problem of self-censorship, usually operating through economic pressure, is widespread and pernicious, but inadequately theorized. Tensions between journalism and the public surface in populist opposition to the media’s attempts to defend minority rights. In such cases, the press can find itself needing to resist the very people in whose name it exercises its democratic role. These complications require journalism scholars to rethink the normative frameworks and assumptions underlying studies of press freedom. This article argues for a rightsbased approach that treats public discourse - and not media organizations or media workers - as the prime object of press freedom.
Abstract
Press freedom and censorship demands new empirical as well as conceptual research that responds to the diversity of media systems that cannot be captured within binary free/unfree categories. This article surveys threats to press freedom emanating from the state, the market, and the people. Direct state censorship still exists, but most states rely increasingly on more subtle and indirect means of media control. Market forces, including media owners, are another source of restriction. The problem of self-censorship, usually operating through economic pressure, is widespread and pernicious, but inadequately theorized. Tensions between journalism and the public surface in populist opposition to the media’s attempts to defend minority rights. In such cases, the press can find itself needing to resist the very people in whose name it exercises its democratic role. These complications require journalism scholars to rethink the normative frameworks and assumptions underlying studies of press freedom. This article argues for a rightsbased approach that treats public discourse - and not media organizations or media workers - as the prime object of press freedom.
Chapters in this book
- Frontmatter i
- Preface to Handbooks of Communication Science series v
- Acknowledgements ix
- Contents xi
- 1. Journalism 1
- 2. Journalism history 19
-
I Foundations of the Field
- 3. Roles of Journalists 43
- 4. Epistemologies of Journalism 63
- 5. Journalism Ethics 83
-
II. Conceptualizing the Field
- 6. Journalism as Practice 105
- 7. Journalism as Institution 125
- 8. Journalism as Public Sphere 149
- 9. Journalism as Memory 169
-
III. Theorizing the Field
- 10. Journalism as Agenda Setting 189
- 11. Journalism as Framing 205
- 12. Journalism as Gatekeeping 235
-
IV. Journalism via the Disciplines
- 13. The Sociology of Journalism 257
- 14. The Economics of Journalism and News Provision 281
- 15 Politics and Policies of Journalism and Free Press 297
- 16. The Technology of Journalism 321
- 17. Journalism and Geography 335
-
V. The Journalism Ecology
- 18. Entrepreneurial Journalism 355
- 19. Mapping the Citizen News Landscape: Blurring Boundaries, Promises, Perils, and Beyond 373
- 20. Advocacy Journalism 391
- 21. Documentary Journalism 415
- 22. Lifestyle Journalism 433
-
VI. The Issues of Journalism
- 23. Journalism, War, and Peace 453
- 24. Journalism, Censorship, and Press Freedom 473
- 25. Journalism, Pluralism, and Diversity 493
- 26. Journalism, Gender, and Race 511
- 27. Journalism, Audiences and Community Engagement 531
-
VII. Conclusion
- 28. Journalism and Change 555
- 29. The Future of Journalism Scholarship 575
- Biographical sketches 587
- Index 591
Chapters in this book
- Frontmatter i
- Preface to Handbooks of Communication Science series v
- Acknowledgements ix
- Contents xi
- 1. Journalism 1
- 2. Journalism history 19
-
I Foundations of the Field
- 3. Roles of Journalists 43
- 4. Epistemologies of Journalism 63
- 5. Journalism Ethics 83
-
II. Conceptualizing the Field
- 6. Journalism as Practice 105
- 7. Journalism as Institution 125
- 8. Journalism as Public Sphere 149
- 9. Journalism as Memory 169
-
III. Theorizing the Field
- 10. Journalism as Agenda Setting 189
- 11. Journalism as Framing 205
- 12. Journalism as Gatekeeping 235
-
IV. Journalism via the Disciplines
- 13. The Sociology of Journalism 257
- 14. The Economics of Journalism and News Provision 281
- 15 Politics and Policies of Journalism and Free Press 297
- 16. The Technology of Journalism 321
- 17. Journalism and Geography 335
-
V. The Journalism Ecology
- 18. Entrepreneurial Journalism 355
- 19. Mapping the Citizen News Landscape: Blurring Boundaries, Promises, Perils, and Beyond 373
- 20. Advocacy Journalism 391
- 21. Documentary Journalism 415
- 22. Lifestyle Journalism 433
-
VI. The Issues of Journalism
- 23. Journalism, War, and Peace 453
- 24. Journalism, Censorship, and Press Freedom 473
- 25. Journalism, Pluralism, and Diversity 493
- 26. Journalism, Gender, and Race 511
- 27. Journalism, Audiences and Community Engagement 531
-
VII. Conclusion
- 28. Journalism and Change 555
- 29. The Future of Journalism Scholarship 575
- Biographical sketches 587
- Index 591
