Assignment Task:
The Media serves various functions. Two of them are The Common-Carrier Function and the Watch Dog Function.
The Press exercises a common-carrier function because it serves as a conduit through which political leaders communicate with the public. The justification for this role is simply that leaders need the news coverage to get the public's attention and support. Citizens need to know what the government is doing. The COVID-19 outbreak is a prime example. Leaders at all levels of government relied on the Media to get their message out to the public.
The American press takes responsibility for exposing incompetent, hypocritical, and corrupt officials through its watchdog function. The news media have even been called the fourth branch of government because it checks the political system on abuses of power or lack of transparency. (Patterson, 2020).
Journal Assignment:
Contrast the media's watchdog role with their common-carrier role. Is there a tension between these roles? Does carrying out one of them work against carrying out the other?
Is there a conflict of interest in the media? What are the consequences of the fact that the press is charged with informing the public in an unbiased manner; but is also charged with entertaining and attracting loyal (often partisan) audiences?
Include your opinion but support it with sources used in your textbook, in the lectures, and from your own research.