The War on Journalism by Andrew Fowler Summary

The War on Journalism investigates the decline of mainstream media, exposing how corporate greed, government surveillance, and self-censorship eroded press freedom. Andrew Fowler traces the impact of whistleblowers like Chelsea Manning and Edward Snowden, while critiquing media giants like the BBC, The Washington Post, and Rupert Murdoch’s News of the World for prioritizing power over truth. The book warns of draconian laws silencing dissent and urges a reckoning for democratic accountability.

Journalists, media students, and advocates of press freedom will find this book essential. It’s also critical for readers interested in government transparency, corporate influence on news, and the ethical challenges facing modern journalism. Fowler’s insider perspective, drawn from decades at ABC’s Four Corners, offers valuable insights for those analyzing media’s role in democracy.

Yes—it’s a compelling expose of journalism’s crisis, blending investigative rigor with firsthand accounts. Fowler’s analysis of high-profile cases like WikiLeaks and phone-hacking scandals provides a stark warning about media consolidation and state overreach. Its relevance grows amid rising distrust in institutions and debates over “fake news”.

• Corporate Influence: Media moguls prioritizing profit over public interest.
• Whistleblowers: How Manning and Snowden disrupted traditional journalist-source dynamics.
• Government Overreach: Laws criminalizing leaks and spying on citizens.
• Self-Censorship: Journalists avoiding controversial stories to protect careers.

Fowler argues outlets like the BBC and The New York Times became complicit by cozying up to power, accepting manipulated leaks, and avoiding hard-hitting investigations. He highlights layoffs, editorial timidity, and the rise of “chicken shit editors” who kowtow to political or corporate pressures.

Whistleblowers like Snowden and Manning are portrayed as catalysts for transparency, challenging the collusive relationship between governments and journalists. Their leaks exposed systemic abuses but also triggered retaliatory laws targeting press freedom.

Fowler examines Murdoch’s News of the World phone-hacking scandal as emblematic of unethical tabloid culture. He ties Murdoch’s power to broader trends of sensationalism and political manipulation, undermining journalistic integrity.

The book urges revitalizing investigative reporting, protecting whistleblowers, and resisting restrictive laws. Fowler advocates for decentralized, independent media to counterbalance corporate and state control.

Like The Most Dangerous Man in the World (on Julian Assange), this book critiques institutional power but focuses specifically on media’s decline. Both emphasize the tension between national security narratives and public accountability.

Some argue Fowler oversimplifies media history or downplays digital platforms’ role in disrupting traditional models. Others note the book’s dense case studies may overwhelm casual readers.

With governments globally enacting surveillance laws and media layoffs accelerating, Fowler’s warnings about censorship and corporate capture remain urgent. The book’s themes resonate amid AI-driven disinformation and declining trust in institutions.

It refers to the legal, financial, and ethical costs of defending press independence. Fowler warns that without radical reform, democracies risk becoming “unchallenged and unaccountable” regimes.