Title: Comparing mass media in established democracies : patterns of media performance /
Authors: Muller, Lisa,
Year: 2014
Subjects: Mass media Political aspects; Press and politics; Democracy
Abstract: While the notion that mass media is an integral element of modern democracies is widely accepted, there is much controversy regarding the way in which the media has gone about playing its role as a cornerstone of democracy. This study contributes to the cross-national research on democratic media performance and its effects on the quality of democracy by grounding the debate over the role of the mass media in modern democracies in solid empirical, systematic and comparative evidence. The text develops a theoretical model of media performance which it then compares across numerous democratic states leading to the identification of varying patterns of media performance. The study also reveals important links between media performance and various aspects of a well-functioning democratic regime.--
Contents: Comparative research on media and democracy -- The functions of the media for democracy -- Measuring the vertical and horizontal media function -- Comparing the democratic performance of media systems -- Comparing the democratic performance of media content -- The supposed impact of media on the quality of democracy -- Media systems and the quality of democracy : testing the link -- Conclusion.