Why has the media been referred to as the "fourth estate"?

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The media has been referred to as the "fourth estate" because it acts as a government watchdog to check the power of the federal government. This concept was popularized in the 19th century by British politician Edmund Burke, who believed that the press had a significant role to play in holding government accountable. The term has since been adopted to refer to the media's important role as a check on government power in democratic societies.

Why Has the Media Been Referred to as the "Fourth