Role of Media in Democracy

I am not going to establish what democracy and media means discretely. Indians have enjoyed the fruits of democracy so far and it is an absolutely unfettered belief that media has played a vital role in its maintenance. But what truly deserves to be debated about is the fact whether media has been able to retain its role of a transparent interface against all the pressurizing odds and played its role of influencing opinions of the larger audience in a meticulous way.
Believing that credit lies where it’s due, some media organizations have lighten up the darkened edges of issues like domestic violence, sexual harassment, homosexuality, etc. which would have remained under the covers of hypocrisy otherwise. It is because of media that we have opinions and can gather the grit to stand against judgements even passed by the highest authority of India. It is possible because of media that we have access to public platforms like Indian Youth where opinions are more diversified and least regulated. Else, nothing would have stopped us from being ranked parallel to North Korea today.
Also believing that for an institution to thrive criticism is one of the fundamentals, I believe media is losing its importance. Biasness, concocting theories, libeling and spawning hatred were never meant to be its roles yet it is shocking to know how and to what extent some organizations are playing with information to influence public’s opinion in its favor. What is more terrifying is the fact that democracy isn’t being murdered but it is being remodeled along the false lines. We, the public, are no less of culprits though. We feed on what is sensational to us and hardly cross check facts. Who takes the pain, isn’t it? When we ourselves are not ready to change our attitudes, it is baseless to debate over issues from the comfort of homes. This will never ensure a result.

 

Democracy means a system of government in which all the people of a country can vote to elect their representatives. Media plays a vital role in shaping a healthy democracy. It is the backbone of a democracy. Media makes us aware of various social, political and economical activities happening around the world. It is like a mirror, which strives to show us the bare truth and harsh realities of life. I would say there is still a lot of scope for improvement by which media can raise upto the expectations of the people for which it is meant. From being just an informer it has become an integral part of our daily lives.