The Fourth Estate Uproar Public Interest Vs. State Interest

The Fourth Estate Uproar - Public Interest vs. State Interest Introduction Fourth estate is referred to as the news media – especially print journalism or the press. The notion that the news media is the fourth estate relies on the purpose of media to function as a guardian for the public interest whilst also being a watchdog on the activities of the government (AustralianPolitics.com). So it is invested in this essay to analyse the research issue below to determine the correct feedback and input that will inform the public of what is correct within the fourth estate. Research Issue Can public interest ever be at odds with state interests and if so, which do you believe is more important in the functioning of a fourth estate press?†¦show more content†¦This is seen as an essential to a positive and healthy functioning country (Journalism in the Digital Age, 2016). In context with the fourth estate being a fourth branch of the government, it can be seen the news media needs to report truthfully in favour of the public interest in order to provide a country clean of corruption and cover-ups within the government and their political figures. Public State Interest If we accept the idea of the fourth estate, we must understand and determine if ‘public’ and ‘state’ interest are the same. In which they are not, they might seem that but in reality they completely differ. For example, in a capitalist world these two interests are separated from each other by a class line. State interest is all about providing the public with nothing and keeping secrets from the greater population whilst public interest is all about providing insight into the country’s issues and providing everyone with right to know (M. Hirst, 2013). As stated in the introduction within the 18th and 19th century, the fourth estate was known as a civil watchdog; also providing an argument within the public and state about them being two completely different entities with contrasting interests (M. Hirst, 2013) The public heavily rely on journalists and the news media to provide a clear insight when governments underdo or override what they say are doing in the public’s interest but it’s clearly not what the public is supporting (M.