◆ The media is a lifeline of a nation. It provide not only information on what may affect the normal human being in his day-to-day functioning, but also by other features keeps him informed of developments, national and international. ◆ It plays a significant role in our society in the present scenario. It is all around us, from the shows we watch on television, the music we listen to on the radio, to the books and magazines we read each day. Television, more than any of the other medias, achieves myriad different goals. ◆ “If it were left on me to decide whether we should have a government without newspapers or newspapers without a government, I should not hesitate a moment to prefer the latter.” -Thomas Jefferson ● No one is perfect in this world and so is the media. ● We cannot think of a democracy without active and neutral media. ● Media is like a watchdog in a democracy that keeps government active. ● From being just an informer it has become an integral part of our daily lives. ● With the passage of time it has become a more matured and a more responsible entity which informs the people about all the things which is going on in the society.

1. ROLE OF MEDIA IN
DEMOCRACY
SHASHWATA SAHU

2. INTRODUCTION
◆ The media is a lifeline of a nation. It provide not only information on what may affect the normal
human being in his day-to-day functioning, but also by other features keeps him informed of
developments, national and international.
◆ It plays a significant role in our society in the present scenario. It is all around us, from the shows
we watch on television, the music we listen to on the radio, to the books and magazines we read
each day. Television, more than any of the other medias, achieves myriad different goals.
◆ “If it were left on me to decide whether we should have a government without newspapers or
newspapers without a government, I should not hesitate a moment to prefer the latter.”
Thomas
Jefferson

3. ● Dictionary meaning - media communicates the information to the general public or connecting the
globe on a single platform.
● Media - bridge between people and government who trays to communicate each other's issues through
their sources.
● 21st century - plays a vital part in building nation peace and reflecting those issues of ordinary people.
● If we give freedom to media, this will improve the human rights situation in the country.
● Generally, we idealized the independent media function as a "watchdog."
● Variety of forms of Media - social media, electronic media, print media, hybrid software, and application
mode like android TV, FM radio, and the internet are instruments to pass a message to the public.
● Main task of an advertising agency - to select the most suitable media instruments that can adequately
convey the advertising message to the general public.
● Media is a powerful weapon in today’s time.
● If governments use this weapon smartly, it builds the nation’s peace and makes their lives more
accessible, and the government does take direct cognizance of people’s problems.
● They should show his transparency and his seriousness to the general public.
● India is a democratic nation, and we have three pillars in our democracy: the parliament, the executives,
the independent judiciary, and undoubtedly the media is the fourth pillar in our democracy which
protects the autonomy and provides a check and balance on every act of other organs in a democracy.

4. Media & Democracy
● Dmocracy - government of the people, for the people and by the
people where people elects their representatives.
● Thus, the public opinion is an important aspect.
● The people in turn could hold the government accountable and
change it, if they knew what is was doing.
● So, there is a need to inform the people of things around them so
that there is a check on the government. And media is the one who
informs them.

5. Media plays a crucial role in shaping a healthy democracy.
Backbone of a democracy and acts as an interface between the common man and the Government.
Makes us aware of various social, political and economical activities happening around the world.
Like a mirror, which shows us or strives to show us the bare truth and harsh realities of life.
Vital source of important information for people, primarily in the form of news that may affect them.
People can be forewarned of problems and issues, so they can make better choices about their future.

6. Role of Media as an Informer
It supplies the information in true and unbiased form and let the
public choose, what may be the best in their interest.
It is the media only who reminds politicians about their unfulfilled
promises at the time of elections.
The excessive coverage T.V news channels during elections helps
people, especially illiterates, in electing the right person to the power.
This reminder compels politicians to be perform their promises in
order to remain in power.

7. Role of Media in Creation of Public Opinion
In an uneducated democracy, public opinion has to be generated and some agency is required to
do work.
An instrument of mass communication can serve the requirement of effective mobilization of
national opinion.
This is the only way a democracy can survive.
Television and radio have made a significant achievement in educating rural illiterate masses in
making them aware of all the events in their language.
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 is like a vehicle without wheels.

8. ◆ Media have a different role in a different perspective. Here are some typical parts of media -
● Source of information
● Present correct image of government
● Raise some severe issues of public
● Mediator in between general public and government
● Connecting people across the globe on a platform
◆ Media is a powerful medium of communication that aids in transmitting knowledge,
debunking erroneous beliefs, correcting inaccurate or outdated information, and developing
public opinion, all of which can impact international politics.
◆ Historically, the media has been utilized as a people's weapon against feudalism oppression.
◆ Around the world, the media has played a critical role in transitioning feudal societies into
modern ones, with the most excellent evident effects in the world's westernmost areas.

9. Challenges for Media
● In recent times the role of media has been highlighted due to some
controversies.
● Nowadays media's role is changing.
● They started propagating different ideologies and divided the
population between Hindu vs. Muslim, majority vs. minority, men vs.
women, nationalist vs. anti-nationalist.
● Also, media houses are making media a business. Due to this, they lost
their image in the general public’s eyes.

10. Conclusion
● No one is perfect in this world and so is the media.
● We cannot think of a democracy without active and neutral media.
● Media is like a watchdog in a democracy that keeps government active.
● From being just an informer it has become an integral part of our daily lives.
● With the passage of time it has become a more matured and a more responsible entity which informs
the people about all the things which is going on in the society.

11. Thank You!
SHASHWATA SAHU, KIIT School of Law