For a government to succeed in upholding democracy
Introduction
For a government to succeed in upholding democracy, public demand for a policy has to match the policy outcomes. The government maybe be limited to getting or giving information to all stakeholders in the country, and the media bridge this gap. The attitude of the citizens towards government actions depends on the information and knowledge they have, which mostly comes from the press (article 2). In a highly Enlighted society, proper communication is vital to the success of any regime. Communication, in this case, is two-way traffic, and the government gets to understand the expectations and demands of the pubic. The attention given by the media in covering a policy increases the public demand more than an increase in the government’s expenditure (article 2). The increase in media platforms such as social media, blogs, and platforms for video-sharing has minimized control of the information in the public since they do not go through editors (Article 3). The roles of the media determine the effectiveness of the communication between the government and the public. The media is, therefore, key to enhancing development and performance in a state by linking policy output and public preferences.
Roles of the media
Keeping a check on the politicians
The freedom of the press enables it to put check on the government powers by informing the public about the actions that may be harmful to society. The journalists have carried out credible investigations that led to the unearthing of government misconduct, and the culprits have been brought to justice. President Richard Nixon was forced to resign after Washington Post reporters investigated a corruption scandal that was being carried out by his administration (article 1). The media also influences voters’ preferences by highlighting details about politicians and their performance if they have been in power. Politicians often have a love-hate connection with the media, given that it acts as the watchdog for the public. The information spread by the press may not always be a favor to the government, especially when its actions face media criticism. The press has frequently faced politicians’ wrath, especially in countries that do not uphold the freedom of the press. An unfortunate case of violation of press rights occurred in Russia, where Nikolai Adrushchenko was murdered in 2017 for criticizing Putin’s leadership (article 1). The media becomes politicians’ favorite only when it is informing the public about stories that work well for their reputation, and the relationship changes when it covers stories that work against them. The New York Times, Washington posts, and CNN have experienced bad relationships with Donald Trump, who often term their news as phony, wrong, disgusting, and so on when they point out mistakes in his leadership (article 2). A poll done by Pew Research Center revealed that across 38 countries, 75% of the respondents do not support organizations that favor political parties when giving news (article 1). Although the politicians have their powers in the government, they cannot do away with the freedom of the press because the First Amendment in the constitution protects it.
Influencing policies
In a democratic country like the United States, it is the responsibility of the government to uphold the rights of the citizens and civic rights, which includes freedom of expression. The freedom of expression gives the citizens the power to express how they want to be ruled after electing their leaders. The crucial right is protected by the constitution because it and it includes freedom of the press. (article 1). Influential leaders in the US have expressed the importance of having a press that has the freedom to give the public information. Arron and Hamilton had long-standing differences, but they both agreed on the importance of the freedom of the press. (article 1). Adams expressed the importance of giving freedom to the press by terming it as crucial for the security of the state. Benjamin Franklin also emphasized the importance of having the freedom of the press because it is a fabric that holds together to a free society and an important pillar for a free government. It is crucial for the media to give unbiased information given its responsibility in informing both the government and the members of the public about the status of the state. In elections, the press can influence the masses in a big way and determine the winning party (article 4). The media coverage in political rallies can give a politician an added advantage over the opponents by majoring in spreading positive news. The press influence is significant even on encouraging the public to support government policies.
Educating the public
The extensive coverage of the press benefits the government and the public because of the ease of accessing information. The role of the media in society holds it accountable for every action they take, and this makes the media be more than just a business aimed at generating profits (article 4). Journalists and media personalities are encouraged to take other courses like political science to increase their knowledge base for effective coverage of different issues that affect society (article 1). President Reagan was elected in the US for having excellent communication skills from his experience as a television and film actor (article 4). A democratic country basis its leadership in giving its citizens the power to express themselves, given the information they have about their government. There have been accusations of media houses focusing on specific issues that their organization does not support while ignoring other pressing issues that could improve the welfare of the citizens (article 4). The press should always be independent in its opinions to serve the nation well between it bridges the communication gap. The stories covered by the media give the public knowledge of what is happening in the government, which empowers their decision making. It is, therefore, essential for the members of the press to maintain their integrity and avoid being bias for them to play their role in upholding democracy.
Conclusion
Media is not the only source of public information, but it holds a considerable share in public enlightening that can influence major decisions in society. The press can also spread reports that are imprecise, incomplete, and biased, which can affect the political and economic status that affect the citizens of a country at personal levels (article 2). The media plays a crucial role in determining the level of public demand on government policies by giving the citizens knowledge about the outcome of the policies put by the government. The press has revolutionized the way legacy media disseminates news, given the rise of new media due to technological advancement in the communication industry. The public has access to unedited information through online platforms has led to a symbiotic relationship between new media and legacy media. The revolution in the media has complicated political systems media to governments that do not uphold the freedom of the press because the public is in a better position to made informed decisions about their leadership. The media, as a result, has a crucial role in disseminating information between the government and the public about governance and policies meant to enhance a nation.