What Is Journalism For?

What is at stake when journalism is threatened? Does society still need journalists?

Journalism faces multiple threats today all over the world: economic decline, online disinformation, the rise of AI, authoritarian curbs on freedom of the press, and violence against journalists. In such a climate, it's more urgent than ever to ask what journalism is for.

Drawing on his experience as a journalist and media commentator, and on interviews with journalists from the US to Myanmar, Jon Allsop examines key concepts that constitute journalism's role: good judgement, concern for truth and critical scrutiny of one or more communities.

Along the way, he also considers the relationship between journalism and activism; whether journalists should aspire to change the world and whether they can be seen as champions of democracy.

Author: Jon Allsop
Binding Type: Paperback
Publisher: Bristol University Press
Published: 04/08/2025
Series: What Is It For?
Pages: 180
Weight: 0.41lbs
Size: 8.00h x 5.00w x 0.42d
ISBN: 9781529238556