‘The modern press itself is a new phenomenon. Its typical unit is the great agency of mass communication. These agencies can facilitate thought and discussion. They can stifle it. They can advance the progress of civilization or they can thwart it. They can debase and vulgarize mankind. They can endanger the peace of the world; they can do so accidentally, in a fit of absence of mind. They can play up or down the news and its significance, foster and feed emotions, create complacent fictions and blind spots, misuse the great words, and uphold empty slogans.’
“A Free and Responsible Press: Report of the Commission on Freedom of the Press”
‘An important aspect of public expectations from the media concerns the related issues of trust ant credibility. Three main factors are involved. One is that of objectivity; there has to be confidence that information is accurate, complete, and reliable. Secondly, there is the matter of reliability; the public wants unbiased information and analysis that does not have a hidden agenda or serve special interests. Thirdly, the public ( as audience ) appreciates it when they believe that journalists are looking out for and representing their interests (those of the public). This kind of trust is most likely to be generated by local news media or sources that are very familiar. The general issue of trust is a large one and should be of concern for all media, with a relationship to accountability (of media to their audience). By various accounts the media has been losing trust and once lost it is hard to regain, just as it has proved difficult for new media (e.g. on-line news) to gain trust.’
“Media Accountability and Freedom of Publication”
