Question

What does it mean for journalists to be the watchdogs?

Answer 1

Watchdog journalism tells the public about what is going on in organizations and society, particularly in situations where a substantial part of the public would require reaction adjustments. This could require: statements of government authorities and corporate managers being fact-checked.
Interviewing and challenging government figures with issues or concerns.
Beat reporting to collect data from conferences that may not otherwise be attended by members of the public and to observe "on the floor" in a wider investigative journalism community, which includes gathering data about a single event for a long time

Like a literal guard dog barking when an intruder is noticed, a function of "watchdog" includes alerting others when a issue is identified. Common topics are the method of public decision-making, corporate fraud, illegal activity, immorality, consumer protection, and environmental degradation.

As previously defined, the media's regulatory function, or watchdog journalism, came about in an effort to improve the lives of individuals living under what the author considers to be oppressive or inadequate conditions at the time. When the Colonies press was launched, papers were financially tied to the government because they relied on it for subsidies and printing jobs. For this reason, political commentary voicing discontent with the government's, at this time England, actions was virtually absent from the press.

Even as dependence on the government moderated, editors were reluctant to take a stance opposite the government ,or antiestablishment in any way, for fear that their businesses would be terminated by force.  Still some editors risked their businesses in order that their opinion might be freely expressed.  However, the earliest piece of watchdog press concerned health rather than politics.