Journalism has the vital function to defend and promote truth in public discourse. And yet, at a time when seeking and finding the truth is at a premium, journalism has never been under so much pressure to move away from this critical role into more partial campaigns or commercial public relations exercises. In The Power of Journalists four of the UK's foremost journalists - Nick Robinson, Barbara Speed, Charlie Beckett and Gary Gibbon - introduce us to the role of the journalist as truth-teller and protector of impartiality as well as interpreter of controversial facts and trusted source of public opinion. The authors draw from their own fieldwork - including coverage of the Scottish independence referendum and the Brexit campaigns - to reflect on the necessity of maintaining an impartial and independent public information service and protecting quality information from the mounting pressure exerted by political parties and the business world. The role of new technology is also taken into consideration. While the explosion of social media has generated trends that threaten good quality journalism and contribute to the collapse of its traditional business model, the information silos caused by algorithms are simultaneously threatening democratic understanding and undermining the adequacy and effectiveness of journalism. The Power of Journalists is a mindful, rigorous and discerning examination of the role of journalism today and the reasons why journalists are conventionally regarded as powerful and tied to the establishment, yet often feel anything but.

SuperMedia is a lively, engaging, and refreshingly-opinionated text offering informed discussion on the importance and future of liberal journalism as a healthy part of a flourishing society.* Examines the profound changes journalism is undergoing for social, economic and technological reasons* Explores the potential for a entirely new type of journalism which these changes create, discussing the impact of social networking sites and blogs on traditional journalism, and making the case that journalism could be the catalyst for change needed to solve many of the world's problems in a controversial manner* Written by a first class broadcast journalist, it provides a practical roadmap for identifying the issues and solutions that will ensure an open and reliable news media for generations to come

This book provides the most recent overview of media systems in Europe. It explores new political, economic and technological environments and the challenges they pose to democracies and informed citizens. It also examines the new illiberal environment that has quickly embraced certain European states and its impact on media systems, considering the sources and possible consequences of these challenges for media industries and media professionals. Part I examines the evolving role of public service media in a comparative study of Western, Southern and Central Europe, whilst Part II ventures into Europe's periphery, where media continues to be utilised by the state in its quest for power. The book also provides an insight into the role of the European Union in preserving the independence and neutrality of public service media. It will be useful to students and researchers of political communication and international and comparative media, as well as democracy and populism.