adversarial press

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "adversarial press" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe media or journalists that are critical or hostile towards a particular subject, often in a political context. Example: "The politician faced significant challenges due to the adversarial press that scrutinized every aspect of their campaign."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

12 human-written examples

An adversarial press is doing its job.

The New York Times

"There is a tendency among politicians to believe it is an adversarial press.

The New Yorker

"The American people cannot properly judge his performance without accurate and independent information, and that's where a free and adversarial press is indispensable".

The New Yorker

Denton suspects power in Silicon Valley is more sensitive than in New York or Los Angeles, where those in control are more accustomed to an adversarial press.

The Guardian

But we saw that they have the ability to correct them — through vigorous public debate, an adversarial press and many other mechanisms that encourage reform.

The New York Times

FIRST it was Carl-Henric Svanberg referring to the "small people" of America's Gulf coast; I thought he deserved a break for handling an adversarial press conference in foreign language.

The Economist

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

45 human-written examples

Playing the dual role of public voice and private counsel, Mr. Rubin recast the spokesman's post in a relentless era of cable television, 24-hour news cycles, and he says, an increasingly impatient and adversarial American press.

The New York Times

Carney says there's a "naturally adversarial relationship between the press corps and the White House".

The Guardian

"The openness to the press, the adversarial process, before a jury, a judge who lets the sides express their opinions".

The New Yorker

Through this adversarial relationship with the press, the Park Avenue billionaire has become a populist voice of the masses.

The Guardian

HE WAS a media darling before his inauguration in 2007, but President Rafael Correa's adversarial relationship with the press has counted among the defining characteristics of his six-year rule.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "adversarial press" when you want to emphasize the critical and challenging role of the press in holding power accountable, and to reflect a relationship marked by scrutiny and questioning.

Common error

Avoid using "adversarial press" to describe a situation where the relationship is simply critical or investigative. The term implies a deeper level of opposition or conflict. Be sure that the relationship is truly "adversarial" and not just a case of standard journalistic scrutiny.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "adversarial press" functions primarily as a noun phrase that modifies the noun "press." It describes a press that is characterized by opposition, scrutiny, and a challenging stance towards those in power. This is consistent with examples provided by Ludwig.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "adversarial press" is a grammatically sound and commonly used term, predominantly in the context of news and media. As Ludwig AI confirms, it describes a press that actively challenges and scrutinizes those in positions of power, acting as a watchdog to ensure accountability. While the phrase is generally neutral, its use implies a relationship marked by opposition and scrutiny. Related phrases include "hostile media" and "critical journalism". When using this term, ensure the context supports the implication of a truly adversarial dynamic, rather than simple critical reporting. The New York Times, The New Yorker and The Guardian are among the top authoritative sources employing this expression.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

hostile media

Focuses on the antagonistic nature of the media.

critical journalism

Emphasizes the analytical and questioning aspect of journalism.

investigative reporting

Highlights the in-depth and probing nature of reporting.

watchdog journalism

Implies a role of monitoring and holding power accountable.

challenging media

Highlights the media's role in questioning and testing information.

aggressive journalism

Emphasizes a bold and assertive approach to news gathering.

confrontational media

Focuses on the media's tendency to challenge authority.

scrutinizing press

Highlights the close examination and analysis conducted by the press.

unfriendly news outlets

Describes news organizations perceived as unfavorable or unsympathetic.

combative reporting

Emphasizes a forceful and argumentative style of reporting.

FAQs

How to use "adversarial press" in a sentence?

You can use "adversarial press" to describe the relationship between the media and a political figure or institution, as in "The president has a difficult relationship with the "adversarial press", which constantly scrutinizes his policies".

What can I say instead of "adversarial press"?

You can use alternatives like "hostile media", "critical journalism", or "investigative reporting" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

What does it mean to have an "adversarial press"?

Having an "adversarial press" means the media takes a critical and challenging stance towards those in power, constantly questioning their actions and decisions to hold them accountable.

Is an "adversarial press" good for democracy?

Many argue that an "adversarial press" is essential for a healthy democracy, as it ensures transparency and accountability by challenging those in positions of authority. Without an "adversarial press", there's a risk that power could be abused unchecked.