Watchdog journalism 2526960 225216673 2008-07-12T14:43:40Z SmackBot 433328 Date the maintenance tags or general fixes {{expert-subject|Journalism}} {{POV|date=July 2008}} '''Watchdog journalism''' refers to forms of [[activist]] journalism aimed at holding accountable public personalities and institutions whose functions impact social and political life. The term [[lapdog journalism]] is sometimes used as a conceptual opposite to watchdog journalism. Watchdog journalism is most commonly found in [[think tank]]s, [[alternative media]], and citizen journalism such as [[blog]]s. It is occasionally found in [[mainstream media]] as well. Since independent media and think tanks are not profit-oriented, they have more latitude in which to adopt strong positions and cover a wide range of topics. However, it is also more difficult to determine the backing of non-mainstream outlets so those are sometime subject to covert exploitation by well-funded interests. In recent history, a notable example of watchdog journalism was the exposure of [[Dan Rather]]'s investigative segment which cast [[George W. Bush]]'s military record in an unfavorable light. The segment was based on the [[Killian documents]], which blogger journalists exposed as being insufficiently verifiable as authentic. == Media watchdog journalism == Some watchdog journalism focuses on [[media bias|bias in the media]]. For examples from the [[United States]], see list in [[Media bias in the United States]]. In the UK where there is greater national coverage, watchdog journalism is very effective and consumers' rights are upheld both by radio, television and most national newspapers. == See also == {{portalpar|Journalism|Portal.svg}} * [[Muckraker]] * [[Investigative journalism]] * [[Alternative media]] * [[Debunker]] * [[Journalism]] * [[Fairness and Accuracy in Reporting]] * [[Media Matters for America]] ==References== *Marder, Murray. ''[http://www.nieman.harvard.edu/reports/99-4_00-1NR/Marder_ThisIs.html This Is Watchdog Journalism]''. ''Nieman Reports'' ([[Nieman Foundation for Journalism]] at [[Harvard University]]) 53.2 (Summer 1998). Online posting. [[August 28]], [[2000]]. Accessed [[August 28]], [[2007]]. ["This excerpt is from remarks made by Murrey Marder, Nieman Fellow 1950 and retired Diplomatic Correspondent of [[The Washington Post]], at the dinner of the first Nieman Watchdog Journalism Conference in Cambridge, Massachusetts, May 1, 1998."] ==External links== *''[http://www.niemanwatchdog.org/ Nieman Watchdog: Questions the Press Should Ask]'' – Official site ([[Nieman Foundation for Journalism]] at [[Harvard University]]). * [http://www.helium.com/partners/ncpa/ National Center for Policy Analysis (NCPA) Citizen Journalism website] [[Category:Investigative journalism]] [[Category:Journalism genres]] {{journalism-stub}}