GRAVE NEW WORLD: democratic journalism enters the global 21st century

http://journ.ru.ac.za/staff/guy/research/democracy/graveworld.htm

PART A: INTRO Later course:

Globalisation impact on audience Focus on consumption Wide view of media & culture

This lecture: Globalisation of journalism practice Focus on production Spotlight narrowly upon journalism

Coming up

A. Journalism – what is it? Four normative roles for democracy

B. First world challenges C. Fourth world challenges D. Conclusion

PART B: JOURNALISM Now a universal definition –

Romantic notion: Superman Informative format Democratic role

Reality?: Paparazzi, celebs, “patriotism”, fluff & puff. Rwanda radio, Moyo-moying the media.

Ans: see Journ as “normative ideal” Don’t conflate with real media

Normative roles – have effects

Liberal Social democratic Neoliberal Participatory

- Analytically distinct

- Practically blurred, compromised

1. Liberal role 4th estate

Or: status quo? Watchdog (for the people)?

Or: guarddog (for the rich)? ANS: both roles can happen. ANS: journalism as an ideal–driven practice

(despite cynicism) ANS: don’t conflate jism with media

institutions

2. Social democratic role

Face citizen, rather than state

Educate, uplift, guide

Again: can happen, may not happen

3. Neoliberal role Promote pluralism & represent diversity of

political views (cf public sphere perspective)

Be a fair referee – ethics of fairness

Sector as a whole: = forum

Explains some democratic journalism.

4. Participatory role

Reflect grassroots (cf civil society perspective)

Address audience as political actors, not spectators

Everyone is a journalist. eg. community radio (ghetto-ized?)

4 “ideal” roles Give insight into complex &

complementary contribution of journalism -> to media … -> to democracy.

On the ground = big differences between First and Fourth Worlds

Globalisation is not homogenised journalism … in practice, or ideals

jogb:

testing

jogb:

testing

PART C: FIRST WORLD

Density Info-society Corps & commercialisation Personal material world

1. Density

Journalism dwarfed and colonized by other content.

Audiences fragmented. PR industry.

Lesser role and reduced significance for democracy?

2. Info-society

Info access & equity are now the key democratic issue.

Neoliberalism getting overdone: info overload.

Calls out for more Soc Dem – to guide the citizens

3. Corps & commerce

Mega-corporations Need 5th estate (web?) Need participatory journ

Decline of PBS Need Soc-Dem to counter.

4. Personal material world

Me-culture Global uneven ecology –

centre is parochial, insular. Need to expand:

Range of neoliberalism (incl 3W) Conscientising soc-dem

journalism

Diagnosis

The four roles remain relevant, although also challenged and changed.

PART D: FOURTH WORLD

Much oppression by govts No Info-overload Marginal global market Little commerce Many collective struggles

Democratic challenge:

Liberal role alive ‘n kickin Devt role being neglected

Baby ditched with bathwater Calls for genuine soc-

democratic journalism Pluralism needs neoliberal

role

Qualifying the roles

Neoliberal role can be questionable where: Enables cultural imperialism

(although this is not always anti-democratic)

Without soc-dem role, journalism does not reach the poor.

Other roles (& qualifications):

Soc-dem – but it has often been co-opted and abused.

Participatory – by definition, democratic journalists need grassroots allies.

But their reach is still limited, so journalists have interest in deepening media density

Diagnosis

Four roles have relevance in Fourth World democracy

Somewhat different to First World challenges.

PART E: CONCLUSION

Normative ideals retain relevance, but different in First and Fourth Worlds.

Dodge the dollar and the despot’s diktat. Keep global vision. Do democratic service Note tension between journalism-media.