Journalism, largely an activity in the private sector, finds its public purpose in claiming to hold power to account, in providing an accessible record of significant events and decisions and in giving space to diverse opinion.

At least until recent years, a market in information, analysis and revelation could be both profitable and civic. From the 19th century, journalism developed an ethic – that it was a craft which guarded the public interest. Most democratic societies have, in effect, licensed journalism to bend or breach laws others must observe in pursuit of information in that interest.