The role of the media has continuously changed over the years following the introduction of media as a form of communication in the early centuries. This is due to the impact that the media industry has proved to have on the society by putting different messages across. It is well known that there has been a notable increase the amount of media houses that are well established in different countries. Despite providing a wide range of entertainment, the media industry has continuously had a shift in the role they play by providing information. This is witnessed in the role the media industry has had in shaping politics and allowing different political news to be aired across different countries. The need for democracy by the media is due to the kind of content they would like to air. Many media companies aim to be independent away from any interference from the government and other external factors that may not be in support of the kind of messages they put across.
This is clear through the kind of talks and conspiracy that most governments keep away from the citizens. In order to stop the media from spreading information that the different governments may not want, there have been efforts to withdraw total freedom of broadcast from media (Boler 223). Withdrawal of freedom from the media by the government had been a trend that was witnessed in recent times where the government had total control of what the media aired. This was common in dictatorship government and particularly in countries that were not democratic. Democracy is a significant factor that helps in evaluating the limitations that should be set for various organizations and individuals within a society. There have been changes that have been witnessed that are in efforts to withdraw the freedom that the media is exercising. However, this has been received with great disagreements from different leaders and governments who are in support of an open and democratic society where the media is free to air views regarding anything that may be affecting the society. The disagreements are based on different factors. Some are for political interests since some leaders may want to ensure that they are able to put across their strategies or challenge opposition parties through the help of the media. The media is seen to be the most useful tool that can be used in ensuring that democracy has taken root and that all matters that may go against people’s democratic rights are addressed.
The media industry is known to have a significant impact in ensuring that people are up to date with the politics that may be taking place in a particular country. This is made evident through the kind of impact that the media has been known in luring people into politics and keeping all individuals updated with politics (Boler 224). The media have also been known to air views regarding activities that different political parties may be engaging themselves in that may be relevant in influencing people’s political discussions in the country. Room has been created in the media industry where politicians are able to come forth and introduce different idea. News programs have also been made as being among the different companies main act where they politics are among their top priorities. The media is also known to participate in question that may raise debates in a country regarding thing that the ruling government in a given country are expected to address in order to ensure that citizens are comfortable with whatever decisions that are being made (Newton 440).
The need for democracy in order to ensure that media houses can put their messages across has been an issue of great controversy. This is despite that fact that the media industry has in ensuring that the society is able to acquire accurate and genuine information regarding what is happening in a given county’s political scene (Berger 183). The ideas that are brought about by the different media houses are aimed at giving people an opportunity to know the truth and reach upon decision that are in the best interest of the country. Despite the numerous limitations that different governments have tried to make in order to bar the media from disclosing or accessing certain information, the media has continued to air the views they have. This is through thorough investigations regarding matters that they may feel need to be uncovered to bring to light the truth to the society. This has been made possible through the help of activists and different organizations that see the need for media freedom. This is evident through the efforts that have been made United Nations organizations that have made efforts to ensure that different countries around the world exercise this right.
There has been an increase on the demand for democracy following the various changes that are taking place in the society. This is in reference to globalization that has seen to it that different countries all over the world see the need for democracy. This has been among the factors that have driven the need for media democracy that has been witnessed all over the world. The need for democracy in this essence is exhibited through the need for total freedom of expression regardless of the reactions that may arise out of these circumstances. This has affected the media industry particularly with the help of activists and various organizations that see the need for freedom of the media industry (Mintz, Osvaldo and David 230). This is due to their interest that will be achieved following the changes that will be made if the freedom of expression is guaranteed. This is among the factors and external influences that have had an impact in ensuring that countries are able to keep the government in check by being informed of all activities that are taking place in a given country. The western civilization has also played a great role in advocating media democracy. America as being the world greatest country tries to be a role model by ensuring that the people are given the things that they deserve (Chan 105). Democracy is one of the key elements that the western civilizations advocate. This is because democracy is essential in ensuring that the society is able to peacefully co-exist. Democracy in this instance is exercised through ensuring people are provided with accurate information regarding things that are taking place in the society. This is because transparency is one of the main objectives that the media aims at achieving through providing proper and accurate information in order to serve the society well. Transparency in the media industry is made possible through the different exposures regarding injustices that have occurred in the society and the media has taken effort in ensuring that people are aware of what is happening.
Despite the freedom that has been granted to different media houses across the world, there are regulations that have been established. The different regulations are established to ensure that the media houses do not exceed their power. This is through ensuring that there are established laws that are meant to ensure that there is no airing of information that may be against the best interest of the citizens (Chan 107). There are also regulations that limit the airing of information that may cause national insecurity. Information regarding national security should not be handled by the media without consulting the relevant departments. This is due to the harm such information may cause. Such matters need to be well handled with serious and professional consultation from the relevant departments. This will ensure that there is no spread of biased information that may cause unrest in the country. The spread of biased information may also result to the use of a country’s resource to try and solve issues that may not actually exist since the nature of the information aired had failed to be well evaluated by the relevant departments. It is evident that fostering freedom of expression and independence for the media is essential (Puyvelde 296). This regulation will be relevant in ensuring that the media does not exceed its jurisdiction by putting across messages that are not well evaluated or in the best interest of the society. The media is also expected to lay down facts through backing the information they provide by ensuring that they provide genuine facts that people can relate with so as not raise any doubts regarding controversy that may arise. According to different analysis it is evident that there are some conflict that the French intelligence had with the media regarding matters that they were not supposed to air, this is among the few incident where the media may have exceeded their jurisdiction (Puyvelde 292).
Throughout the many decades that the media have been in existence, the media has been referred to as a watchdog (Mintz, Osvaldo and David 231). This is because it has had a reputation in bringing to light matters that may have been affecting the society negatively. The media have also been a watchdog through ensuring that there are no injustices that are carried out behind the citizens’ backs. This is through ensuring that all matter are brought to light regarding issue that that need to known. It is evident that there are a lot of injustices that do occur in a society and particularly in politics. The media have taken it as their duty to actively involve themselves in these politics by ensuring that all matters are well evaluated and brought to light in their real sense. It is through this that the society can relate with different thing that may be taking place in the society and give an opinion regarding what they may see as the best way forward (Berger 37). The freedom that has been provided by the different governments with no total control by the government has made people trust the information being conveyed by the media. This has motivated the different form of media to make it their objective to put across all things that may be happening in the country from politics to other social matters. This is among the significant factors that have been associated with the name that has been coined for the media which is the watchdogs (Mintz, Osvaldo and David 234).
It is clear that the media industry play a major role in different matters with a society. However, evaluation in reference to the diverse issues available need to be done to ensure that there is smooth the operation of the objectives it aims at achieving. According to the analysis that has been provided regarding media and freedom, there is a great deal of matters that need to be considered. There have been numerous claims that have been made that have supported the need for freedom of the media. This is due to the democratic rights that have been instated in different countries of the world. Democracy has made it possible for the media to air their views regarding any matters that they may find relevant (Newton 438). This ranges from a diverse range of issues from politics to other social problems that may be affecting the country. The media needs freedom to put across messages that different persons in the government may feel that they should not be aired. According to numerous reviews, it is evident that the media is a watchdog that is expected to ensure that all matters that are affecting the society are put across for all citizens to know about. This will prevent government from withdrawing information that may affect the society. In conclusion, it is clear according to Erick and David that there are regulation that should be put to ensure that the media does not overuse the freedom it has been entitled. This is because there are matters that need consultation or closure especially matters that are affect national security.
Works Cited
Berger, Arthur A. Media and Society: A Critical Perspective. Lanham: Rowman & Littlefield Publishers, 2012. Print.
Boler, Megan. Digital Media and Democracy: Tactics in Hard Times. Cambridge, Mass: MIT Press, 2008. Print.
Chan, Joseph M. “Democracy and Globalization: A Comparative Framework.” The Public 8.4 (2001): 103-118. Print.
Mintz, Eric, Osvaldo Croci, and David Close. Politics, Power and the Common Good. , 2013. Print.
Newton, Kenton. “The Media and the Modern Democracy.” An International Journal of Comparative Politics 36.3 (2001):436-444 DOI: 10.1111/1477-7053.00074
Puyvelde, Damien V. “Intelligence, Democratic Accountability, and the Media in France.” Democracy and Security 10.3 (2014): 287-305 DOI:10.1080/17419166.2014.946018
