watchdog role
Monitoring authority position
A watchdog role is a function of oversight and scrutiny, typically assigned to institutions that monitor others for misconduct or abuse.
Journalists serve a watchdog role when investigating government corruption.
Regulatory agencies have watchdog roles over industries.
The term comes from dogs that guard property by barking at intruders—the watchdog alerts others to problems rather than fixing them directly.
- fact-checkingConfirming accuracy of claims
- transparencyState of being see-through
- scrutinyClose, careful examination
- media scrutinyIntense journalistic examination
- accountabilityObligation for one's actions
auditing · investigative journalism · human rights advocacy · ombudsman · muckraking · judicial oversight · regulatory agencies · environmental activism · whistleblowing · exposés · name and shame · oversight · checks and balances · monitoring · reporting · anti-corruption laws · alert · governance
watchdog rolelapdog
Small cuddly canine
rubber stamp · mouthpiece · booster · cheerleading · team player
watchdog rolewhitewashing
Concealing unpleasant facts
obfuscation · spin doctor · information control · damage control