Reviving the Fourth Estate: Democracy, Accountability and the Media (Reshaping Australian Institutions)

This lively and accessible book analyzes the role of journalism and the scope of its democratic purpose. Schultz examines key news stories, and looks at the attitudes of Australian journalists themselves. The ideal of the fourth estate has been impaired by concentrated media ownership and by commercial, political, ethical and occupational interests. Schultz argues for a revival of the fourth estate based on journalistic independence and political autonomy, together with increased accountability and responsiveness.

"In this important new book, journalist and academic Julianne Schultz observes that the commercial nature of the news media is a source of both strength and weakness. Its publishers have rightly described it as a ground-breaking text that makes a major contribution to debates about the media and public interest in Austrialia." John Tidey, Pacific Area Newspaper Publishers Association

"Books on the media are relatively few. Generally, they range between two extremes: austerely academic and inconsequently anecdotal. `Reviving the Fourth Estate' is one of the exceptions. Julianne has combined learning with experience. The result is a work of intelligence and authority." Brian Johns, Managing Director, Australian Broadcasting Corporation