ABSTRACT
To understand contemporary journalism, in the UK and in other liberal capitalist societies, one must first know something about the two concepts that have historically underpinned its organisation and production: liberal pluralism and objectivity. This and the following chapter discuss the origins of these concepts and the scholarly criticisms that have been made of them. Chapter 5 then reviews critical debates around current trends in journalistic form and content, as conducted in the public sphere by a range of commentators including academics and journalists.
