What does the term 'watchdog' refer to in media context related to politics?

The term 'watchdog' in the media context related to politics primarily refers to the role of monitoring and reporting government actions. The media acts as a critical observer of the government and public institutions, scrutinizing their decisions, actions, and policies to ensure transparency and accountability. This watchdog function is essential for a healthy democracy, as it helps inform the public about government activities, highlights any potential misuse of power, and can serve as a mechanism for holding officials accountable for their actions.

In contrast, while an agency for fact-checking news can contribute to accurate reporting, it is more of a supportive function rather than the broader, more active monitoring and reporting role exemplified by the watchdog concept. Similarly, methods of news dissemination and influencing broadcasting regulations pertain to different aspects of media operations and do not capture the essence of the watchdog function in politics.