The definition of the (social) responsibility of journalism/media is based on the conclusions of the so-called Hutchins Commission, sometimes known as the Commission on Freedom of the Press. This was set up in Britain in 1942 as a body to define the role of the media in a modern democracy. It was established at the instigation of Time magazine publisher Henry Luce, primarily in response to criticism of the media by the public and politicians (and also as a reaction to war propaganda during WWII). It sat until 1947 and its output was a list of five values that the media should fulfil: (1) give a truthful, comprehensive, and intelligent account of the day’s events in a context which gives them meaning; (2) be a forum for the exchange of comment and criticism; (3) project a representative picture of the constituent groups in society; (4) present and clarify the goals and values of society; (5) give full access to the day’s intelligence. Social responsibility theory, as articulated in the book Four Theories of the Press, takes a similar view of the social responsibility of journalism. This theory views the media not only from a commercial perspective, but also sees it as a tool that can be used to ensure the delivery of quality information to citizens and represent all sections of society. In addition, this theory envisages that if the media fails in its role, the state regulatory authority can step in and enforce it. Both conceptions of the (social) responsibility of journalism are inherently normative and are particularly typical for liberal democracy.
