Journalists, collectively, are often referred to as the MEDIA or the fourth estate. The term 'MEDIA' is derived from the Latin word for middle and refers to the role of journalists in providing a link between the government and the people. The term 'fourth estate' is a reference to the three estates of the realm in medieval Europe, which were the clergy, the nobility, and the commoners. This term was first used in the 18th century to refer to the press and its role in society.