The Civil Ideal of the News and Political and Commercial Reality

In the everyday reality of the newsroom, the civil ideal is challenged by political and commercial power which diminishes the civil standing of the news’ audiences by conceiving of them as either partisans from whom is demanded their loyalty, or as consumers from whom is demanded their undivided attention and commercial support. News itself can be characterised by what is left out in its reporting, what is excluded, what is omitted and what views and outlooks remain unchallenged. In this way, politically and commercially inspired anti-civil values seek to undermine the civil ideal of news. Its survival depends on the editorial integrity of the newsroom culture.