ABSTRACT
A guard dog perspective is offered as a way to better understand the functioning of the mass media as an important set of communication agencies in the social system. This perspective takes into account the varying role performances by mass media in reporting on major public issues. The role of mass media as an independent and powerful force in society is an enduring and controversial issue. The guard dog conception takes into account the varying role performances by mass media in reporting on major public issues. Some analysts have, in effect, found media power to be guard dogs for special interests, while holding to the potential for a watchdog role. In the lapdog view, the only media role in conflict would be the defence of the powerful against outside intruders, whereas in the guard dog perspective occasions would arise that entail reporting of conflicts between dominant powers or power blocs.
