Role of Media in Democracy

Let’s begin with the historical (immortal too) statement of Edmund Burke, worldwide acclaimed British statesman and also renowned for his oratory; pleaded the cause of the American colonists in British Parliament and defended the parliamentary system. Burke emphasized the role of Three Estates in Parliament and termed the reporter’s gallery as the Fourth Estate, more significant and also potent than the others. What is the condition of the same Fourth Estate now as far as India is concerned? Well, the Indian media, if truth be told, did play commendable role in the initial years of Indian democracy but now, it seems that Indian variant of Fourth Estate has lost the essence.

How can one be so sure? After all, this is nothing save a grave allegation! Well, there is a need of explanation, even if succinctly. Democracy, in short, is a political system in which the supreme power does remain in a body of citizens who have the competence to elect people to represent them or is the ideal formation of people’s rights. And the role of media has always been to endorse the same through unbiased criticism, good way of monishing the democratic institutions regarding any intent to adopt flawed measures. Truly, it can be termed as the conscience of people at large.

India did witness the same once but there was a mishmash when the greater portion of Indian media did crawl instead of bending before the Indian governance of 70s. And the vigor lost in the midway. What has been witnessed after those stormy days is nothing save a desire to retain own political clout sacrificing the zeal to uphold the saga of Indian democracy.

It is to be noted that the first and foremost task of media is to serve in the form of an interface between the government and commoner in a democratic set up or to serve as a bridge. Are you witnessing the same in India other than assuaging corporate interests?

 

The media plays a very important role in democracy. The democracy of India keeps on getting along with various reforms and amendments. These are to be brought up to the people so that the decisions can be criticized or complemented accordingly as per the view of individuals. The media has an important role of mediator between the government and public.

 

The role of media has changed completely over the period. Earlier their mottos were to educate people and bring out the issues in front of the government, and compel them to think over them seriously in favor of common man. But then democracy has empowered media in a very different way. Today media is behaving selfishly and vaguely. They are working more as the tool for creating publicity stunt by great politicians, capitalist and other great celebrities. They have lost their power and value and are evolving more as entertainment channels than as NEWS channels.

 

media of india has developed over years and it is now actively involved in communicating the existing democracy to the people of india, and thus the people get the knowledge on working and efficiency of democracy and so does democracy get views of how people react to its working. media these days have become crucial in bringing important changes in society.

 

News channels like NDTV do a good job with spreading awareness, but there's still a sort of attitude in every one of them... They usually go by the views of others. They don't have any revolutionary aim at all. And many of them are so eager to get news, that they don't take anything else into consideration [like during the Mumbai blasts].

 

I completely agree with you. The responsibility of media is not less than the ruling government. As the media is growing in the democracy, they are taking the advantage of the democracy for their own benefits. Just for the trp's they are becoming selfish and forgetting their work towards nation. They were showing what they should not at those crucial moments when every citizen was going through fear of terrorism.

 

You are right that media has developed over time, but the development is only for their own benefits. they hardly are interested in the grieviences of local people. Media today is portraying the very bad image in front of the masses. They are more into making money rather than communicating what exactly is happening. you can say that they are taking the advantage of being in a democratic country. there are certain restrictions on media which they are crossing.

 

media has several roles to play in the society. it is certainly playing good and crucial role in indian democracy. we are made aware of all the changes taking place in the democracy. moreover we are made in touch with the happenings in the democracy round the clock. all this would not have been possible without the media's intervention

 

Media plays an important role in democracy as it holds and governs the country's actions. It makes people aware about the things happening in and around the world as well as it gives information to people about the new bills and policies that are passed and made. The importance of media is indeed vital in today's scenario as people are very much keen to know what policies and reforms are being made by the government and if it for the benefit of the people or not. This generates consensus of public and helps in making laws beneficial for people.

 

Well something is better than nothing.
May be media work as corporate material, in one or other way media is responsible as a bridge between commoner and government. This corporate media also creates some money and also tracks the intension towards media.
So no matter it is commercial, corporate or any other, media uses are high than defects

 

I do not agree with your thoughts on media's role. I guess media has the responsibility on its shoulder to make and break or to change the opinion of the people by presenting their stories. I think media has the power to break anyone's character and to make criminal a decent guy. It has all the power resides in its hand so media persons should take steps meticulously. There are many defects in media as of ow that needs to be mend.

 

well, democracy is for the people, by the people and of the people so it becomes important to have transparency in the governance. this can however be achieved only via the media. Not all the media we have in India plays part in informing people of changes, updates and news of governance, but there are some who do take it as a responsibility and work for the benefit of people.

 

Media has to play very important role in making people understand about democracy and fundamental rights. News channel today are dedicated to increase their TRP rather than revolving news and social issues. Yesterday only I accidentally watching the DD channel and was surprised to know about Indira Pension Yojna where people are getting a sum of Rs. 200/month only. No TV news channels are there for this issue. DD atleast let us know about the issue.

 

Media plays a very crucial role in democracy. In today’s modern world especially the electronic media plays a very important role as it accedes to people to put forward their views on any thing happening in the Country. In a democratic country like India, media helps in creating awareness among the people making them know about the various issues happening in and around the country. Mass media, be it electronic or print, acts as platform for the common people to reach the government and also to exercise their rights of leaving in a democratic country.

 

Role of Media in any democracy is vital and having very much important for a live democratic country. Media actually work as a mediator between the govt and general people. if media won't work properly, then for sure it will be very tough for a country to maintain a healthy democracy.
Media is the face of a democracy. So Media must be handled by a team of responsible and honest members!

 

Media plays a very important role in Democracy. Media or rather mass media is a means to reach the masses. It is a medium to create awareness among the masses about the various issues going on in the country and world as a whole. It has developed with time and has created awareness. Media is regarded as a medium of freedom of speech and expression. It has played and is still playing a notable role in shaping the nation.

 

Democracy is a system of government in which every citizen of a country has the right to vote and elect their representatives. Media plays an essential role in shaping a healthy democracy. It is the spine of a democracy. It creates awareness among the people regarding different social, political and economical activities happening around the world. It is like a mirror, which demonstrate or attempts to demonstrate the uncovered truth and ruthless realities of life.

 

Media is the fourth pillar of Democracy and plays an important role in it. Media is the means of keeping democracy alive as it creates awareness among the people about the various workings of the Government and other machinaries. Media gives democracy the real meaning. It is a very powerful tool with the means to make and break the opinion of people.

 

Media is the mirror of the society and this makes it one of the most indispensable part of it. Media is the means that allows people to let their voice and opinions reach the masses and this makes media a very important part of Democracy. Media is a powerful tool in the hands of the people and that tool has kept Democracy in India alive.

 

I always assumed media's role to be the one which humbles the government, asks the right question, is unbiased, and informs the people to help them form opinions. The present scenario I'm afraid seems to be something very different. Most media houses are owned by foreign corporates which run them as businesses. The news seems opinionated and biased rather than simply informing based on facts. The simplest solution is to stop watching what is wrong. There is media which is still unbiased and can be relied upon. We must form our own opinions and inform ourselves to the best.