Role of Media in Democracy

Democracy without media is like a deaf and dumb. The fourth pillar of the Indian democracy has a major role for maintaining a successful and sustainable democracy in India. As there are so many diversities found in Indian continent so it is sometimes become difficult to maintain a healthy democracy. Media is like a mirror, which shows the society the cruel truth and hard realities of life. The literacy rate of India is increasing day by day, as a result it helps people more to access the newspapers,radio,tv etc. The Indian society has faced a great change after the independence. The media had also a great role in pre independence era. The media has become more active over the years. At the time of election media plays a major role to remind the politicians about their unfulfilled promises. Those who are illiterate they get more information about election, politician through radio and TV which helps them to cast their vote wisely. Television and radio have made a significant achievement in educating rural illiterate masses in making them aware of all the events in their language. Coverage of exploitative malpractices of village heads and moneylenders has helped in taking stringent actions against them by attracting government employees. The media also exposes loopholes in the democratic system, which ultimately helps government in filling the vacuums of loopholes and making a system more accountable, responsive and citizen-friendly. A democracy without media will be functionless like a vehicle without wheels. It is the age of information and technology. Information is knowledge and knowledge is the power.  As media disseminates information so it is making people more powerful. We get the pulse of the world events with just a click of a mouse. The flow of information has increased manifolds. The perfect blend of technology and human resources (journalist) has not left a single stone unturned in unearthing rampant corruption in politics and society. We all are well aware of what tehelka did. The impact of media is very vital not only in Indian society as well as in the world. Excessive coverage sensitive news has led to communal riots. The illiterates are more prone to provocations than the literates. Constant repetition of the news, especially sensational news, creates in panic in the mind of the common people. Commercialization has created a stiff competition in media. In order to outdo each other print media has often gone one step further in publishing articles, cover stories, etc. on sex. Another most burning issue about the degradation of ethics in print media is the issue of paid news. Certainly it gives wrong information about a political leader in a positive way to get votes. Common people become victims of it easily.  Media acts like a watchdog in a democracy that keeps government active. From being just an informer it has become essential part of our daily lives. With the passage of time it has become a more matured and a more responsible entity. The active participation of citizens is very much essential for a healthy democracy. Ideally, the media should keep citizens engaged in the business of governance by informing, educating and mobilising the public. In many new democracies, radio has become the medium of choice, as it is less expensive and more accessible. FM and community radio have been effective instruments for promoting grassroots democracy by airing local issues. The Internet has also a great role for a vibrant democracy.  Now a days most of the people are using internet as a result they are accessible to instant news on various things. The media can also help build peace and social consensus, without which democracy is threatened. The media can provide warring groups mechanisms for mediation, representation and voice so they can settle their differences peacefully. The media can play a positive role in democracy only if there is no hard pressure from government or any political party. There should also be mechanisms to ensure they are held accountable to the public and that ethical and professional standard It is the time of 17th century when the media’s role became prominent in democratic governance. The media shape public opinion, but they are in turn influenced and manipulated by different interest groups in society. The media can promote democracy by among other things, educating voters, protecting human rights, promoting tolerance among various social groups, and ensuring that governments are transparent and accountable. On the contrary media can also play antidemocratic roles as well. They can sow fear, division and violence, instead of promoting democracy. According the United Nations Development Program (UNDP) report   for the reduction of poverty the transfer of economic resources to the needy is as important as making information available to the poor so that they can participate more meaningfully in political and social life. After all, the poor cannot assert their rights if they don’t know what these are. If they are unaware of the laws and procedures for availing themselves of their entitlements or the mechanisms they can use to remedy their deprivations, they will always remain poor. Democracy cannot take root if the poor and powerless are kept out of the public sphere. The argument is that effective media are the key as they can provide the information poor people need to take part in public life. Ideally, the media should provide voice to those marginalized because of poverty, gender, or ethnic or religious affiliation. By giving these groups a place in the media, their views – and their afflictions – become part of mainstream public debate and hopefully contribute to a social consensus that the injustices against them ought to be redressed. In this way, the media also contribute to the easing of social conflicts and to promoting reconciliation among divergent social groups.  All these are extrapolations on the media’s role as virtual town hall or public square: by providing information and acting as a forum for public debate, the media play a catalytic role, making reforms possible through the democratic process and in the end strengthening democratic institutions and making possible public participation, without which democracy is mere sham.The reality, however, is that the media in new and restored democracies are not always up to the task. For sure, democracy has been a boon to the press.