In a new international study of public media systems in 14 democracies, two New York University media scholars find that many countries offer journalists legal protection from political interference and ensure that reporters have the autonomy to do their jobs.
Rodney Benson and Matthew Powers also found that in those countries with government-funded media, which includes television, radio, newspapers, and online news, coverage is often higher quality public affairs coverage, with a wider range of viewpoints, and even are more critical of government than commercial media.