The Adversarial Relationship of Press to the "Establishment"

THE FOURTH ESTATE!!

Characteristics of "Adversarial" News Reports

      1. issues are only 2 sided - press is opposite establishment (not usually complex enough)
      2. news becomes position oriented - messages of mistrust
      3. motive analysis becomes common
      4. Often substance is primarily gov. view & opponent view - little fact checking (except as rebuttal)
      5. elevates insignificant views to equality with establishment.
      6. approach is activist (government must solve)

Problems with the Adversarial Approach

      1. makes consensus harder to achieve - polarizes, adds to mistrust
      2. Builds cynicism
      3. distracts from facts elevates opinion of all sorts
      4. adds irrelevant motives

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last updated 4/5/2001