by Nabeel Raza

1. MEDIA AS 4TH PILLER OF STATE
By:Nabeel Raza
Roll No: 01
“The media's the most powerful entity on earth . They have the
power to make the innocent guilty and to make the guilty innocent
and that's power. Because they control the minds of the masses”
-MalcolmX
Today,media is considered the fourth pillar of the state all over the world.
This body is considered more important these days, it plays an important
role as an informative bridge between governing bodies and general
public
Media plays a crucial role in shaping a healthy democracy .It is the
backbone of a democracy. Media makes us aware of various social,political
and economical activitie shappening around the
world. It is like amirror, which shows us
bare truth and harsh realities of life.
The media has undoubtedly evolved and become more active
over the years. it is the media only whore minds politicians about
their unfulfilled promises at the time of elections. T.V news
channels excessive coverage during elections helps people,
especially illiterates, MillionS .This
reminder compels politicians to be upto their promises in order to
remain in power.
The media also exposes loopholes in the democratic system,

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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
In the age of information technology we are bombarded with
information. We get the pulse of the world events with just a click
of a mouse.The flow of information has increased manifolds.We all are
well aware of what tehelka did.Thanks to technology that has brought a
kind of revolution in journalism.
There are basically three traditional pillars of any state:
Legislature
Executive
Judiciary
The three pillars, made the laws,apply the Laws as well as
interpret the laws. Beside these pillars ,Media is considered
as the“fourthpillar”of any state.
There are three basic functions of media
information
entertainment
education
Media had played a vital role in shaping the ideas of people.
This is considered as most important pillar because it plays
a role of bridge between government and public.In absence
of media it is nearly impossible for any person to know about the
government activities. Media plays an important role
pointing out the malefunctioning of state.Media works as a

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mirror in our society because it reveals the harsh realities of
life. Media plays very important role in democracy. it is also
known as the“Backbone”of democracy and without media
democracy is like vehicle without wheels.
Having vivacity over all others, this“Fourth Estate”is most
important as people need the media to provide them with a
fair and accurate reporting of all happenings; locally as well
as around the globe.Indeed,media is a force multiplier with
the latest technological advancements,where“wars can be
won or lost on the world’s television screens.”Centuries ago,
Chinese scholar,Tsun Tse Tzu has perhaps hinted for such a
futuristic development once he said,“to win a battle without
bloodying swords.”With the massive technological
advancement and highly globalized world,today no
information can be kept secret for an indefinite period.Even
the super power of the time,United States could not maintained secrecy of
covert roles,its intelligence agencies have been playing and people
like Edward Joseph Snow denand Julian Assange of
WikiLeaks,leaked out many things to global media,to the
dislike of U.S
No doubt,media has aware people about their rights and has a
great influential power but on the other hand some sections of
media are under the supervision of government due to which it does not
show the true picture of reality. Sometimes the element
of“exaggeration”made a bad image of country.
At the time ,when Pakistan in under many crises like terrorism and

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economy disaster media is playing a vital role and we hope that in
future it will play its role honestly.If Media identifies its responsibility and
work sincerely and honestly,then it
can serve as a great force in building the nation.
The freedom of media is desired but media has to respect the
moral and social obligations,the people and state has imposed
on it.Owners and anchors of the media channels should be aware
and conscious of the agendas of rival powers and unfriendly
global forces towards Pakistan,its institutions,nuclear assets
and above all its national interests.It has become more important that,any
information
communicated through media to the masses should be well
researched ,authentic and presented in a way to create positive
image in the society .The projection of events and even the most
horrendous and pessimistic incidents should be in such away
that, the society especially the youth get positive lessons.
Indeed,as the most influential and rapid means of
communication,media has a responsibility to create a sense of
belonging and national integration among the people.Like other
three pillars,after all media has to act as the most responsible
pillar of the state