how does mass media act as a watchdog over government
Watchdog journalism The role of a watchdog journalist can be that of a protector or guardian. The role of a watchdog journalist as a guardian is to supply the citizens with information they must have "to prevent the abuse of power",[4] and to "warn citizens about those that are doing them harm".[5] In order to conduct their role as a watchdog, journalists need to have a certain distance from the powers and challenge them,[6] as opposed to "propagandist" journalists,[7] who are loyal to the ruling powers and elites. Because of the power distance and its overseeing function, watchdog journalism often officiates as the fourth estate,[8] or is used in the context of that term.[9] The array of topics for watchdog journalism is wide and includes "personal scandals, financial wrongdoing, political corruption, enrichment in public office, and other types of wrongdoing".[10] In order to expose wrongdoings the watchdog aims at "finding hidden evidence".[11] The aforementioned aspects are necessary for the role of the watchdog journalist to help "maintain order" and "warn against disorder".[12]
History of American journalism By 1900 major newspapers had become profitable powerhouses of advocacy, muckraking and sensationalism, along with serious, and objective news-gathering. During the early 20th Century, prior to rise of television, the average American read several newspapers per day.[citation needed] Starting in the 1920s changes in technology again morphed the nature of American journalism as radio and later, television, began to play increasingly important roles.