Security and independence of mass media: a case study of Czech journalists in media ownership turmoil
Abstrakt
Our paper focuses on the issue of security and independence of modern day mass media. The majority of mass media is owned by large corporations and business companies and there has been noted a certain pressure on the quality and the content of media coverage that is happening with a varying degree of success in various countries.
Our paper is based on the results of the Czech branch of the Worlds of Journalism Study project that took place between 2012 and 2014 and consisted of 291 interviews with journalists from all types of media, both at the regional level and nationwide. The results addressed changes in the way Czech journalists perceive their roles and ethical responsibilities and showed the altering manner in which these changes are reflected in emerging media projects.
It appears that Czech journalists are now keener to accept the role of public "watchdogs" and the newly found role of journalism becomes a catchy marketing idea for the new projects.