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Watchdog journalism informs the public about goings-on in institutions and society, especially in circumstances where a significant portion of the public would demand changes in response. This might involve: * Fact-checking statements of public officials * Interviewing public figures and challenging them with problems or concerns * Beat reporting to gather information from meetings members of the public might not otherwise attend, and to observe "on the ground" in broader society * Investigative journalism, which involves information-gathering on a single story for a long period of time Like a literal guard dog that barks when it notices an intruder, a "watchdog" role involves alerting others when a problem is detected. Common subjects are the government decision-making process, illegal activity, immorality, consumer protection issues, and environmental degradation. Watchdog journalism can be located in a variety of news media, such as radio, television, Internet, and print media where it may be seen as "a unique strength of newspapers",〔Ward 2005〕 and additional new media and concepts such as weblogs and citizen journalism. Watchdog journalists also are called "watchmen",〔Hanitzsch 2007, p.373〕 "agents of social control", or "moral guardians".〔Berger 2000, 84〕 == Role == 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",〔Marder, 1998, p.20〕 and to "warn citizens about those that are doing them harm".〔Coronel, 2008, p. 3〕 In order to conduct their role as a watchdog, journalists need to have a certain distance from the powers and challenge them,〔Hanitzsch, 2007, p 373〕 as opposed to "propagandist" journalists,〔Pasti 2005, p.95〕 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,〔Hanitzsch 2007, p 373〕 or is used in the context of that term.〔Berger 2000, p.84〕 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".〔Coronel 2008, p. 2〕 In order to expose wrongdoings the watchdog aims at "finding hidden evidence".〔Overholser & Jamieson 2005, p.170〕 The aforementioned aspects are necessary for the role of the watchdog journalist to help "maintain order" and "warn against disorder".〔Gans 1979, p.295〕 抄文引用元・出典: フリー百科事典『 ウィキペディア（Wikipedia）』 ■ウィキペディアで「watchdog journalism」の詳細全文を読む スポンサード リンク
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