"[...] Why and how does media freedom matter against the backdrop of these political, technological and economic upheavals? How has the role of free media evolved and what are we learning about its impact? The following scan of the empirical literature seeks to make a contribution to answering these questions. It pulls together evidence from a wide variety of disciplines and sources that relate to the role and efficacy of free media, broadly construed as a media sector characterised by qualities of pluralism, independence and absence of repression by government or other actors across all media channels and platforms.
The sectors explored are: democracy and participation; health; peace, security and cohesion; the economy; the environment. [...]
While this paper explores the links between media freedom and various aspects of society, none of this should detract from the normative value of media freedom itself. The most fundamental function of a free press – to inform the public – is vital for human prosperity and wellbeing. Media freedom is a critical aspect of freedom of expression, which is enshrined in Article 19 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and includes the right to “seek, receive and impart information and ideas through any media and regardless of frontiers”. Citizens need reliable information about the issues and events that matter to them in order to make decisions that affect their lives. What this paper seeks to do is explore the extent to which this fundamental role of media freedom provides further benefits in other sectors." (Introduction, page 6)

"Four labels for a free media best encapsulate and illustrate its versatile importance:
- The media as a “fourth estate” emphasises the critical watchdog function of a free media that complements the reciprocal checks and balances that exist within and alongside government, thus helping to hold both public and private power to account.
- The media as “agenda setter” alludes to its promise and prowess in giving voice to marginalised perspectives, addressing stigma and directing attention to urgent emergencies such as food shortages to force the hand of governments to respond.
- The media as a midwife to “imagined communities” highlights its community-constructing leverage, its ability to host discourses that help plural societies to appreciate multiple perspectives, negotiate difference and chart a common ground.
- Finally, the media as a “canary in the coalmine” brings to the fore its fragility, early warning function, and criticality with regard to anti-democratic dynamics. Attempts to co-opt or constrain the media are front and centre in most attempts to dismantle democratic structures and a harbinger of more to come." (Conclusion and outlook, page 24)