MEDIA
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Media
Introduction
Democracy in many parts of the world has led to the creation of the three independent arms of governments: the executive, parliament, and judiciary. Usually, the parliament is responsible for making laws, judiciary help to interpret and apply the law while the executive carries out the day to day operations of government. Compared to the past, where populations were small, the current populations are large, making it hard for them to engage with their leaders in making decisions and deliberation. The media has come in between the leaders and the citizens to act as mediators of communication. The media has gone through evolving from the earliest communication method that was the newspaper, then radio and TV, and today’s social media or the internet. The link that the media provides between the people and the three arms of government has been referred to as the fourth estate. While some media opponents have linked it to fake news/rumors, negative polls, and extensive coverage, the media ensures that leaders are upholding their oath of office and the citizens are making informed or responsible decisions.
Opponents of the idea that mass media is important in a democratic government to argue that the media misleads the people during elections by giving and predicting wrong polls. Elections are an important part of democracy. Every registered voter has the right to vote, and every candidate is assured of free, fair, and transparent elections. During the political campaigns, various media stations carry out elections polls to determine candidates with a majority of votes. Other people carry out the survey pols on social media and websites like Facebook and tweeter surveys. Polls benefit the candidate with the highest number of popular votes while undermining the other candidate. When there is a significant difference between the polls’ candidates, some people shift to the person with more popular votes. The 2016 U.S election polls were wrong compared to the elections’ outcome, therefore, misleading millions of Americans. Furthermore, the media has been linked to fake news, especially in the U.S. The internet is full of fake websites and fake social media accounts that impersonate people giving false stories.
However, the media offers people access to information, which is important in promoting democracy. There are two reasons why the media is important in a democracy. First, the media ensures that citizens of any nation make informed and responsible decisions instead of carrying out actions out of misinformation or ignorance (U.S Agency for International Development, 1999). Secondly, the media’s information acts as a monitoring tool to ensure that those elected to the seats of power are upholding their oath of office and are satisfying the wishes of the people (U.S Agency for International Development, 1999). When the media and the government are not on good terms, it indicates a fully functional democracy. Most of the political leaders want the media to say what they want to hear. In some cases, the media may be under control by the government, but the mass media must continue mediating between civil society and the government.
The protection of the press is a critical part of democracy in the United States. In the united states, the first amendment of the constitution protects the freedom of the press. Nevertheless, that freedom is bound by many restrictions that include limited access to information and the lack of whistleblowers protection. The press also receives hostility from the government. The first amendment of the constitution adopted in 1791 gives the press permission to opinions, ideas, and information without prosecution, constraint, or interference from any person or government. The media informs the people of the ongoing development and progress of government projects. Also, the media exposes the incomplete and stalled projects that are a waste of taxpayers’ money. Citizens air their problems to their leaders using the mass media for help and intervention. In doing so, the mass media increases the accountability of the government to its citizens.
The demand for technology has increased over the last decade due to communication technology and new information. There has been significant progress in access to quality information used in making decisions based on the changing world. The telecommunication industry is among the sectors that have had significant changes in mobile phones, satellites, and internet connectivity. Technology has converted the world into a small village; communicating and transmitting information is faster. People can get information anywhere they are using a mobile phone that has access to the internet.
The internet provides a platform where people form groups and discuss the progress of the government. The deliberations and decisions made on the internet can lead to mass demonstrations on the street to push the government to fulfill their promises. Moreover, leaders engage with their citizens on the internet, creating effective conversations that help leaders reach the people and know their problems. The increase in media concentration in the U.S has various consequences that include reducing media pluralism, lack of media integrity, and media oligopoly.
Conclusion
The mass media plays an important part in ensuring that members of the state are making informed and responsible decisions in matters related to politics. Mass media also ensures that leaders uphold their oath of office by reporting corruption cases or any wrongdoing. Some countries are achieved development because of the media holding the leaders accountable. Therefore, leaders fulfill their promises to their citizens.
References
U.S Agency for International Development. (, 1999). The Role of Media in Democracy: A Strategic Approach. https://www.usaid.gov/sites/default/files/documents/2496/200sbc.pdf