The Broken Estate - Journalism and democracy in a post-truth world (BWB Texts)

Author(s): Mel Bunce

Politics | Aotearoa New Zealand Non-Fiction

"It is easy to look at the extremity of `post truth' politics in the US and conclude that we must be doing something ok in New Zealand. But in many ways, the foundations of our media system are in worse shape." In the age of Trump, fake news and celebrity headlines, it is easy to despair about the future of journalism. The New Zealand and global media are in a state of crisis - the old economic models for print journalism are no longer viable, public funding has been neglected for decades, and the numbers of journalists employed by major news organisations are in freefall. New Zealander Mel Bunce is a young lecturer at the acclaimed Department of Journalism at City, University of London. In what she describes as both a critique and a love letter, Bunce discusses the state of journalism in New Zealand and the solutions needed to ensure its future. Her fresh analysis draws on the latest international research and interviews with leading journalists.

A lack of knowledge about the world can be a very dangerous thing.


In the age of Trump, fake news and clickbait headlines, it is easy to despair about the future of journalism. The New Zealand and global media are in upheaval: the old economic models for print journalism are failing, public funding has been neglected for decades, and many major news organisations are shedding journalists.


New Zealander Mel Bunce researches and teaches journalism at the acclaimed Department of Journalism at City, University of London. Drawing upon the latest international research, Bunce provides a fresh analysis that goes beyond the usual anecdote and conjecture. Insightful and impassioned, this short book provides a much-needed assessment of the future for New Zealand journalism in a troubled world.

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Mel Bunce is a Senior Lecturer in Journalism at City, University of London where she researches and teaches on the international news media. Dunedin-born, Mel worked as a columnist for the Otago Daily Times while she was a student at the University of Otago. After graduating, she won a Commonwealth Scholarship to the University of Oxford where she completed an MPhil in Development Studies, and a Doctorate in Politics. Mel is the co-editor of Africa's Media Image in the 21st Century (Routledge, 2016) and has published a number of research articles on international journalism.

General Fields

  • : 9780947518356
  • : Bridget Williams Books
  • : Bridget Williams Books
  • : January 2019
  • : books

Special Fields

  • : Mel Bunce
  • : 224