From political scandal to celebrity mishaps, journalism is essential to modern life. It facilitates democracy, educates the world and gives a voice to the voiceless. But it also trivialises important issues, chases advertising and serves political interests. With paid newspaper circulation declining in the West, is the search for truth being overwhelmed by the quest for profit? As the digital revolution gathers pace, how should journalism adapt? Negotiating the world of vast media conglomerates, 24-hour news networks, legal frameworks and military embeds, this captivating guide examines the role and day-to-day workings of twenty-first-century journalism. Packed with examples and covering the latest developments in multiplatform media - from Twitter to online video - this is the perfect introduction to an ancient craft with an uncertain future.