Habermas defines the public sphere as as a “society engaged in critical public debate”. Conditions of the public sphere are according to Habermas. The formation of public opinion.

“shows how different ways of financing and organising cultural production have traceable consequences for the range of discourses and representations in the public domain”.

The media as watchdog. “The watchdog role is said to override in importance all other functions of the media, and to dictate the form in which the media should be organised.”

“Classical liberal thought argues that the primary democratic role of the media is to act as a public watchdog overseeing the state.”

State media:

Controlled by the state meaning it will have the same views.

Free market:

Where media forms such as news, radio and other forms are not owned by the state meaning anyone can participate.