[1] The press is sometimes called the fourth estate. That
is probably too grandiose a concept for most journalists’ tastes
— but it does suggest an important, coherent and independent
[4] force in society. That “apartness” is crucial. The press does not
share the same aims as those of government, the legislature, the
executive, religion or commerce. It is, or should be, an outsider.
[7] Stanley Baldwin did not intend it as a compliment
when he said of newspapers in 1931 that they had “power
without responsibility”. But, in fact, that lack of responsibility
[10] is one of the important respects in which the press is
different. Of course, the press must be responsible for its own
standards and ethics. But it is not the job of journalists to run
[13] things: they are literally without responsibility. They don’t have
to respond to a party whip, make the compromises necessary in
politics or answer to shareholders. They are not bound by the
[16] confidentiality agreements that bind others. They are careless
of causing inconvenience or embarrassment. They do not have
to win votes. They can write things — about the economy, say,
[19] or the environment — which may need saying but which are
unsayable by politicians. They come from a different place.
Internet: <http://digitalcommons.law.yale.edu> (adapted).
Based on text above, judge the item that follow.
Most journalists agree the press deserves to be called the fourth estate.