Bloodhounds or Missionaries: Role Definitions of German and British Journalists

Abstract

A comparative study of British and German journalists has brought to light extensive differences in their perception of their role, their professional motivations and their evaluation of the norm of objectivity. Even in countries with freedom of the press, therefore, journalism can develop in completely different directions, dependent upon the political, legal and historical settings. German journalism follows the traditional role of a species of political and intellectual career, which tends to place a lot of value on opinion and less on news. British journalism, in contrast, particularly sees itself in the role of transmitter of facts, a neutral reporter of current affairs.