11001. Registering Reporters: How Licensing of Journalists Threatens Independent Media
- Author:
- Steven Strasser
- Publication Date:
- 11-2010
- Content Type:
- Working Paper
- Institution:
- National Endowment for Democracy
- Abstract:
- How should a society choose those who can be entrusted with the power of the news media? For a time after World War II, many developing countries emerging from colonialism thought they had the answer: Governments should license journalists to support the crucial work of forging modern national identities. In a world of violently competing political ideas, these governments carefully vetted those who would follow the correct line. Freedom of the press was considered an unaffordable luxury. New countries attempting to find stability inside and outside of their borders needed a press that promoted patriotism, unity, and strong government.
- Topic:
- Democratization, Third World, and Mass Media