This article explores the role of the news media in overseeing intelligence services and their work. As an informal mechanism, how do they fit into the wider landscape of intelligence oversight? By drawing on examples of US counter-terrorism efforts in the post-9/11 era, the article identifies three roles for the news media in intelligence oversight: as an information transmitter and stimulator for formal scrutinizers, as a substitute watchdog and as a legitimizing institution. Yet there is a danger of the news media acting merely as a lapdog. Other limitations include the impact of regulatory frameworks, government secrecy and the media strategies of intelligence services. The article concludes that the news media play an important role in the wider intelligence oversight landscape, but that their ability to scrutinize is uneven and ad hoc and as a result the picture they produce is blurred.
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This article explores the role of the news media in overseeing intelligence services and their work. As an informal mechanism, how do they fit into the wider landscape of intelligence oversight? By drawing on examples of US counter-terrorism efforts in the post-9/11 era, the article identifies three roles for the news media in intelligence oversight: as an information transmitter and stimulator for formal scrutinizers, as a substitute watchdog and as a legitimizing institution. Yet there is a danger of the news media acting merely as a lapdog. Other limitations include the impact of regulatory frameworks, government secrecy and the media strategies of intelligence services. The article concludes that the news media play an important role in the wider intelligence oversight landscape, but that their ability to scrutinize is uneven and ad hoc and as a result the picture they produce is blurred.
There are almost 200 online newspapers in Bangladesh but no specific regulations exist for them. The government of Bangladesh has taken steps to fix this by preparing a draft policy, which will be finalized by next month (October 2012). The government is now seeking opinions from people concerning online media on this regulation.
There are almost 200 online newspapers in Bangladesh but no specific regulations exist for them. The government of Bangladesh has taken steps to fix this by preparing a draft policy, which will be finalized by next month (October 2012). The government is now seeking opinions from people concerning online media on this regulation.
This paper reports survey findings on Libyan university students’ perceptions of the credibility of two local channels – Al Jamahiriya TV and Al Libiya TV – and two pan-Arab television news channels – Al Jazeera TV and Al Arabiya TV. Respondents were asked to evaluate the credibility of these televised news services on a series of five-point bipolar scales (e.g., fair or unfair). In general, the pan-Arab television news services were given higher credibility scores than the local television news services. Higher credibility ratings however were significantly correlated with an increased likelihood of reported watching of both local television news services, but only one of the international television news services (Al Jazeera TV).
(Journal of Middle East Media, Fall 2012)