Discuss the role of the journalist in the modern political Scene and whether journalism allows a citizen to play a Wider or narrower part in modern democracy.

Journalists have two main roles in today’s modern political scene. Robert W McChesney describes these two roles as “indispensable functions…within democratic theory.” He sets them out as such:
First, the media system must provide a rigorous accounting of people in power and people who want to be in power… This is known as the watchdog role.
Second, the media system must provide reliable information and a wide range of informed opinions on the important social and political issues of the day. (McChesney, 2002)
Through these two roles journalists try to involve citizens in politics and issues affecting them with the goal of increasing democracy in Britain. Democracy is “government by the people, exercised directly or through elected representatives” or simply “majority rule.” (www.dictionary.com)
To have a democracy where “the common people [are] considered as the primary source of political power” (www.dictionary.com) citizens need to be po...