JAKUB STEMPIEŃ: Mass media and the institutions of state control as a watchdog – mission and limitations. Analysis with the use of Principal-Agent Model

The analysis presented in the paper is based on presumptions of „Principal-Agent” model applied into investigations of representative democracy systems. Four ways of civic control among government performances are distinguished. The article focuses on describing two of them: media and self-control of public administration. The activity of watchdog NGOs and non-formal civic actions is discussed in the same perspective. In the article empiric data referring mostly to present-day Poland is presented and analyzed.

 

Key words: “Principal-Agent” model, representative democracy, mass media, investigative journalism, watchdog NGOs.