Watchdog Journalism

Watchdog Journalism

A watchdog is defined as "a person or group of persons that acts as a protector or guardian against inefficiency, illegal practices" by the Collins English Dictionary. In news journalism a watchdog journalist also fulfills this function of a guardian. The term watchdog journalism is strongly related to the practice investigative journalism. To perform in an investigative manner, the journalist is in the "role" of a watchdog. However, watchdog journalism cannot be defined by the amount of investigation alone but is used in many different contexts. It is also stated "contingent on the existing social, political, and economic conditions and a reflection as much of the historical moment as it is of pre‐existing structures and media cultures". Watchdog journalism can be located in a variety of news media, like radio, television, Internet and print media where it can be seen as "a unique strength of newspapers" and additional new media and concepts like weblogs and citizen journalism. Watchdog journalists are also called "watchmen", "agents of social control" or "moral guardians".

Another term in this context is the "detached watchdog". The concept of the detached watchdog emerged from an extensive study on journalism cultures conducted by communication researcher Hanitzsch and others. The detached watchdog is described as "dedicated to objectivity, neutrality, fairness and impartiality".