Media accountability is a phrase that refers to the general (especially western) belief that mass media

Mass media

Mass media refers collectively to all media technologies which are intended to reach a large audience via mass communication. Broadcast media transmit their information electronically and comprise of television, film and radio, movies, CDs, DVDs and some other gadgets like cameras or video consoles...

 has to be accountable in the public’s interest - that is, they are expected to behave in certain ways that contribute to the public good.

The concept is not clearly defined, and often collides with commercial interests of media owners; legal issues, such as the constitutional right to the freedom of the press

Freedom of the press

Freedom of the press or freedom of the media is the freedom of communication and expression through vehicles including various electronic media and published materials...

 in the U.S.; and governmental concerns about public security and order.

Several international organizations, like International Freedom of Expression Exchange

International Freedom of Expression Exchange

The International Freedom of Expression eXchange , founded in 1992, is a global network of around 90 non-governmental organisations that promotes and defends the right to freedom of expression....

, Freedom House

Freedom House

Freedom House is an international non-governmental organization based in Washington, D.C. that conducts research and advocacy on democracy, political freedom and human rights...

, International Press Institute

International Press Institute

International Press Institute is a global organisation dedicated to the promotion and protection of press freedom and the improvement of journalism practices. Founded in October 1950, the IPI has members in over 120 countries....

, World Press Freedom Committee

World Press Freedom Committee

The World Press Freedom Committee is a coordination group of national and international news media organizations.The WPFC set out global press freedom principles in the 1981 Declaration of Talloires , followed in 1987 by the 10-point Charter for a Free Press...

 and the Inter-American Press Association

Inter-American Press Association

The Inter American Press Association is a press advocacy group representing media organizations in North America, South America and the Caribbean. Founded in 1943, it represents more than 1,300 newspapers and magazines in the Americas...

, watch over governmental control of the press.