Critical citizens online

Abstract

The UK has a rich tradition of media journalism and, online, UK news organisations demonstrate a range of accountability and transparency techniques. Most media organisations provide public information on company ownership. Others issue mission statements, but while the regulator’s ‘codes of conduct’ are published online, many outlets do not provide ‘in-house’ codes. There is room for improvement especially in terms of their production transparency. Although by-lines are generally used in newspapers and magazines, explanations as to how stories have been generated are rare. Despite the growth of online news, there remains a lack of references and links to sources in reports. Many news correspondents do have their own blogs, through which some communicate with their readers. The BBC also has staff blogs which are used to explain editorial decisions. More and more journalists use Twitter and Facebook, although very often this seems to be as a source for stories, especially about celebrities. There has been criticism of such use of social media, and journalists’ failure to discuss their work and decisions with the public, preferring instead to announce stories and link to their own websites. The broadcast regulator Ofcom and the self-regulatory Press Complaints Commission have extensive websites and provide an online opportunity for members of the public directly affected by a programme or story to make formal complaints. Nonetheless the PCC is often criticised as weak even by journalists, and trust in print journalism remains low. There are now only two ombudsmen or Readers’ Editors listed with the international Organisation of Newspaper Ombudsmen (ONO). There are a variety of media accountability initiatives outside news organizations, including charities, academics and individuals. Media criticism in the blogosphere is vivid and appears to be influential. Social networks have also begun to play an important role in holding the media to account. Several recent controversies have increased public interest in challenges to the credibility of some news organisations.