Truth, honesty and spin

Public concern about corporate and political dominance over media and information services is greater than ever. Confidence among readers, viewers, listeners and users of information is at an all time low. Within journalism professional values are under attack; working conditions and employment rights are being reduced. And pluralism, which is the cornerstone of democracy, is weakened in the process. This account looks at how governments and corporations, by using sophisticated systems of public relations and political spin, manipulate public opinion. Increasingly, the temptation to lie and to deceive – particularly over critical questions such as going to war – is undermining people's confidence in media and journalism. The traditional mission of journalism to provide people, both as citizens and consumers, with the reliable and useful information they need to play a part in systems of democracy is under unprecedented pressure. But the tension is felt internally too. Changes in the media industry and excessive commercialization, driven by restructuring of an increasingly global media market, concentration of ownership and the use of new communication technologies are also sapping the confidence of professionals. There is the widespread sacrifice of sound quality in favour of trivial, low-quality infotainment, populist, audience grabbing titillation and lifestyle programming. Public interest issues and public service values no longer figure in calculations about the future of media. This account examines these issues, from both sides of the Atlantic, and outlines the challenges for journalists and citizens who are campaigning to restore a sense of professionalism and integrity in media that will rebuild public confidence.