Self-observation by journalists in the media and public debates about journalism have increased. But apart from some independent initiatives, no systematic media observation is done in Austria.
Financial constraints in a highly competitive commercialized sector have constrained the UK media’s ability optimally to perform its democratic watchdog function, yet investigative journalism has benefited from leaked information and the recent enactment of freedom of information legislation.
Professional training has always been good in the broadcasting sector, not least because of the BBC. The situation in the press sector has undergone a marked professionalization. Most UK journalists nowadays have degrees and on the job training opportunities appear to be prevalent.
The public service broadcasters score highly on this criterion, and so do the Guardian Media Group and the Guardian quality newspaper. However, in the newspaper sector at large mission statements (beyond the pithy) are not evident.
Until recently the UK would have scored low on this criterion (1) but the enactment of Freedom of Information legislation in 2000 has significantly improved access to information.
The overall stability of employment levels disguises the fact that journalists operating in a climate of employment insecurity and casualization (short term contracts, freelancing, etc.) have faced markedly increased productivity pressures, which is bound to impact on quality.
There is a highly professional journalistic culture in the broadcasting sector, with the BBC setting a high standard. In the press sector the picture is mixed.
There is a fairly high degree of transparency of data on the UK media.
The UK news media enjoy a high degree of independence from political power holders.
The UK media are subject to considerable scrutiny by official regulators and civil society media monitoring organizations, but there is little involvement on the part of the general public.
The Media for Democracy Monitor (MDM) is a research project from The Euromedia Research Group. This is a network of researchers that collects and exchanges information that help to describe and analyse developments in media structure and policy in Europe.
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