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Media transparency (or transparent media), sometimes also referred to as media opacity[1], is a concept that ponders on how and why information subsidies are being produced, distributed and handled by media professionals, including journalists, editors, public relations practitioners, public affairs specialists, and spokespeople. In short, media transparency reflects the relationship between journalists and news sources.
Overview
[edit]Media transparency deals with the openness and accountability of the media and can be defined as a transparent exchange of information subsidies based on the ideas of newsworthiness.[2] Media transparency is one of the biggest challenges of contemporary everyday media practices around the world as media outlets and journalists constantly experience pressures from advertisers, information sources, publishers, and other influential groups[3]
Media transparency is a normative concept and is achieved when: 1) there are many competing sources of information; 2) the method of information delivery is known; and 3) funding of media production is disclosed and publicly available[4].
Media Bribery
[edit]The concept has emerged in response to claims of bias in media, and the lack of media transparency can be perceived as a form of corruption[5]. Media transparency is a means to diminish unethical and illegal practices in the relationships between news sources and the media[6].
In 2003, a global index of media practices was developed that ranked 66 countries based on the likelihood of journalists to seek or accept cash payments for news coverage from government officials, businesses, or other news sources.[7] The index used secondary data to measure and identify eight determinants of media transparency: 1) long-time tradition of self-determination by citizens, 2) comprehensive corruption laws with effective enforcement, 3) accountability of government to citizens at all levels, 4) high adult literacy, 5) high liberal and professional education of practicing journalists, 6) well-established, publicized and enforceable journalism codes of professional ethics, 7) free press, free speech and free flow of information, and 8) high media competition (multiple and competing media)[7].
The index ranked China, Saudi Arabia, Vietnam, Bangladesh, and Pakistan as countries where media bribery was most likely to occur. Countries with the best ratings for the likelihood of avoiding these practices were Finland, Denmark, New Zealand, and Switzerland. Germany, Iceland, and the United Kingdom were tied for the third place, followed by Norway. Austria, Canada, the Netherlands, Sweden, Belgium, and the United States had the fifth best rating.[7]
Indirect payments and influences were defined as “any type of non-monetary reward to a journalist, editor, or media outlet or the existence of a media policy which dictates, encourages indirect payments or influences the financial success and independence of the media outlet or its employees”
There is not a broad consensus "on how best to define or measure" transparency in journalism.[8] Some scholars operationalize transparency in journalism "as the presence or absence of explanation" of the inputs behind a news story or into the newsgathering process.[8]
Media Transparency Around the World
[edit]- ^ Plaisance, Patrick Lee (2007-06-18). "Transparency: An Assessment of the Kantian Roots of a Key Element in Media Ethics Practice". Journal of Mass Media Ethics. 22 (2–3): 187–207. doi:10.1080/08900520701315855. ISSN 0890-0523.
- ^ Merrill, John (1995). Global journalism: Survey of international communication. White Plains, NY: Longman. pp. 77–87. ISBN 0801305128.
- ^ "International Index of Bribery for News Coverage 2003 | Institute for Public Relations". Institute for Public Relations. 2011-01-10. Retrieved 2018-11-27.
- ^ Tsetsura, Katerina; Kruckeberg, Dean (2017). Transparency, Public Relations and the Mass Media: Combating the Hidden Influences in News Coverage Worldwide. New York: Routledge. ISBN 9781351743952.
{{cite book}}: line feed character in|title=at position 51 (help) - ^ "Transparency and Quality Journalism". UNSOCIAL MEDIA. 2006-05-10. Retrieved 2018-10-23.
- ^ "IPRA | Charter for Media Transparency". www.ipra.org. Retrieved 2018-11-20.
- ^ a b c "International Index of Bribery for News Coverage 2003 | Institute for Public Relations". Institute for Public Relations. 2011-01-10. Retrieved 2018-11-27.
- ^ a b Stephanie Craft & Kyle Heim, "Transparency in Journalism: Meanings, Merits, and Risks" in The Handbook of Mass Media Ethics (eds. Lee Wilkins & Clifford G. Christians: Routledge, 2009), pp. 219-20.