The media have always played an important role in politics, mainly as an external observer of the political process. Today, however, they have gradually acquired the role of an agent, capable of creating political reality. Especially in democracies, journalists and newspaper editors have the power to make and unmake individuals, public officials, and institutions. They even have the power to override government decisions as when, e.g., they leak classified information. By framing political issues, the media have the power to influence the electorate and to set the political agenda. When misused, this power may lead to manipulation, distortion, and misinformation. The power of the media in democratic politics thus forces us to rethink their traditional privileges and responsibilities. While it is clear that the media must be subjected to some accountability mechanisms, the freedom of the press is usually championed against media regulation.
Social scientists and legal scholars have extensively engaged in empirical studies of media power and accountability mechanisms. To date, the contributions of moral and political philosophers have been quite limited. But clearly, issues such as the nature, importance, and value of a free press, and the legitimacy of the state’s interference with the activities of individuals and groups sit at the very heart of many philosophical debates.
This workshop brings together philosophers to participate in a discussion forum on the role of the media in democratic politics, with a special emphasis on what it means and takes to make the media accountable for their power.
Workshop attendance is free but limited to registered participants.
For registrations and information, contact Dorota Mokrosinska (d.m.mokrosinska[@]phil.leidenuniv.nl).
Please register by 1 September 2019.
The workshop is supported by grants from the UK Society for Applied Philosophy, Van Haersolte Foundation, Leiden University Fund, and the Institute of Philosophy, Leiden University.