Research into German and British journalism shows there is no one way to do the job

Wherever you are in the world, though, it is all about balance: scrutinising without pillorying; analysing while never failing to present all the facts; and setting agendas on important issues

It is easy to imagine British journalists as the scallywags of the global profession. Such is the robust and sometimes rambunctious nature of the press in this country that its practitioners are often assumed to be deliberately trying to stir up trouble.

The political partisanship of most UK newspapers (in print and online) is especially notable when compared to some other countries – although as has become apparent since the election of Donald Trump, the media in America can be as politically divided as it is here.

A recent piece of research by Imke Henkel, Neil Thurman and Veronika Deffner examined the respective views of British and German journalists about their work. Intriguingly, they concluded that media professionals in both countries had similar views about their role in setting the political agenda and influencing public opinion (both are eager to do so). That certainly undercuts the notion that UK hacks are busily trying to sway the views of their readers, while dry, high-minded journalists on the continent report facts and no more.