An independent media is important for various reasons but not least the fact that it can represent a whole range of opinions and viewpoints in a given society.. And judges have no more important role than to hold the Government to account when it does not adhere to the law and to uphold the rights of individuals. The mere threat of expensive and time consuming legal action, even if the targeted journalist would surely win in the end, is often enough to force their silence. Independent media refers to any media, such as television, newspapers or Internet-based publications, that is free of influence by government or corporate interests. Philip C. Galanis states in his essay The Fourth Estate of The Bahamas For many decades, there has been historically a tug-o-war between the media and politicians in the Bahamas. This rationale is based on the notion that democracy which recognises that people have the right to elect a government of their choosing cannot exist in any meaningful way without the right to freedom of expression. Media has very important roles to play in democracy such as; projecting the problems of the people to the public, and protecting the fundamental rights given in a Constitution. 3 Why is it necessary for media to be independent? That's why we work to protect a free and open internet and an independent and constitutionally-protected free press that reports the facts so voters have the information they need. Bibliography Clark, Anna. The country is a global superpower with influence far beyond its borders. UCT News caught up with Chuma after the discussion for his views on the most pertinent points: What is the danger of not having an independent media? The media is supposed to be just like a warrior fighting with a pen or like a mirror which shows us or strives to show us the bare truth and astringent realities of life. The media can play a positive role in democracy only if there is an enabling environment that allows them to do so. The UK wants to. Media and Democracy - Media Studies 101 - opentextbc.ca Protected by the First Amendment to the U . CIPE uses cookies and may collect some information from our users. Media is vital in generating a democratic culture that extends beyond the political system and becomes engrained in the public consciousness over time. Was this answer helpful? This means that the journalists do not have the right to freedom of expression, and that the media is not independent. This role is controversial because it envisages the press as both advocate and impartial reporter. 110 00 Prague 1, Czech Republic This includes not only reporters killed in wars in Iraq, Afghanistan, and elsewhere in the Middle East, but journalists covering corruption, crime, and politics in their own countries, a situation former OSCE media officialMiklos Haraszti recently described as a peacetime war on journalism. The U.S. State Department has even launched a Free the Press campaign to expose the plight of imprisoned journalists. Why Local Newspapers Are the Basis of Democracy A democracy where the government is answerable to the people depends on the freedom of the press, which is guaranteed by the First Amendment. First, respondents were asked whether they consider themselves to be a Democrats, Republicans, independents, other, or not sure. This means that the people of the said community can either rule directly or indirectly by electing officials to make decisions for the betterment of the people. In countries with limited or no press freedom, government typically either owns the media or decides which outlets may operate. In the former, the majority opinion is paramount, whereas in the latter it is the . In this way, the media also establish a connection between the people and their elected representatives. He said. In addition, they help shape opinion through control and criticism. He can find out about current events but doesnt have to. We deliver progressive, independent media, that challenges the right's hateful rhetoric. Like all of the corruption scandals that that priest has been involved in. December 3, 2019. One suggestion that has been raised is a tax on news aggregators to fund independent journalism. There are now fewer than a handful of media companies that are not under the influence of the government. Essentially, this role is to provide information to be the eyes and ears of the public in monitoring what is happening in public life by reporting on daily events as they unfold. This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Being a democratic country, where the decision of the masses is supreme, mass media is in instrumental in ensuring that the people make informed decisions. Today, however, independent media around the world face a surprising paradox: though more countries in the world are democracies than ever before, the past decade has also seen a stark rise in the number of journalists imprisoned and killed for their work. You probably pull out your smartphone and search for locksmith near me or something more specific and local like Slotenmaker Wassenaar. AAC M4A. South Africa approves the use of the Dapivirine vaginal ring for HIV prevention, Obituary: TB Joshua, Nigerias controversial Pentecostal titan, Isolation love: The odds are good, but the goods are odd, Childhood sex education reduces risky sexual behaviour: a Nigerian case study. I think the media is an important thing actually now we cannot live without it, because we need it every time. The elites are pampered already and have access to almost everything, but I think it should be in the interest of every journalist to want to champion a more equitable, democratic community. The Role of Media in Democracy: A Strategic Approach - GSDRC WASHINGTON, D.C. -- At a time of record political polarization and pessimism about the news media in the U.S., strong majorities of Americans increasingly believe that an independent media is crucial to a functioning democracy, according to a new report from Gallup and the Knight Foundation's Trust, Media and Democracy series. Importance of Free Media: Importance for political sector: - Ensures sustenance of democracy. What should you do if you are locked out of your home and dont have a spare key? Without a free press, a democracy cannot exist. Some of the major issues with government are the political lies and schemes it takes to get to the top and remain there. Media has become as necessary as food and clothing. As Tocqueville wrote about early America, "every village forms a sort of republic accustomed to conduct its own affairs." This idea is at the heart of federalism. The media holds those in power directly to account for their actions, through interviews, investigative journalism and impartial reporting. Freedom of the press is an essential right in the United States and a core principle of democracy. The core of the public task is the participation of the media in the formation of political opinion. We hear each and every one of you. Media also criticizes the unpopular policies and programmes that the government takes. In the U.S., media are independent. But our success means nothing without you our readers and Insiders who stand up for powerful investigative journalism. This has lead to a proliferation of bias across the many media companies in existence today. 1730 Rhode Island Ave NW, Suite 317 If you are going to have a media that speaks in the same voice the voice of those who own and control it, that undermines media diversity and plurality and once that is undermined, it also undermines democracy itself. How does the media reflect a democratic society? Check it out | analyse This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License. Why Is An Independent Media Important? - Right for Education "A government big enough to supply everything you need is big enough to take everything you have. Media is supplying the political information that voters base their decisions on. Foreign Aid and Democracy in Africa - United Nations University Section 1 defines independent reading and describes its role in learning. Role of Media in Democracy and Good Governance - Academike And when a government can control what news its citizens consume, they can control what information they have when they cast their vote. This comes at a drawback. And rightfully so. Why is it important to have independent media? - Quora The key aspects of what makes Australia a democracy being the electoral role, Australian Electoral Commission (AEC), referendumsm, the rule of law, The land of the free and the home of the brave is the closing line to the United States National Anthem. These cases are proliferating across Europe and pose an existential threat to independent journalism and democracy. Studies show that independent media lead to better governance and that reliable, timely information is important in making good economic decisions. Podcasts present independent and reliable news without corporate or false unbiased reporting. It is aware of the rising threats to independent journalism and is making moves to combat some of the threats. why is independent media important in democracy - lbgf.org Democratic ideals refer to standards and persons who look to not only expand democracy, but expand it to the whole of the population. How do you cope with Cancelling a wedding? Authoritarian governments like those in Poland and Hungary have prioritized media capturethat is, the government taking over media outlets, either directly or through wealthy cronies buying them up, in order to ensure that their reporting supports its positions or takes aim at the people or entities the government opposes. (Photo: Reuters) For hundreds of years, a free press has been . So there was suddenly all of this media attention to kids sleeping on the floor, sleeping under those silver space blankets. It is the backbone of a democracy; it makes us vigilant of numerous social, political and economic activities happening around the world. How close is the official sub-2 hour barrier now? The Supreme Court's Historic Judgment on the Appointment of Election Truth, accountability, and informed voting: reasons why freedom of the press matters. Required fields are marked *. Media and information literacy is important because it enables the public to evaluate/ assess the information given to them and to recognize erroneous, false, or problematic ways of delivering information. Keeping this in mind if media inclines towards a particular political party or favors the government. A recent report stated that the country has seen press freedom deteriorate ever since [Prime Minister Janez] Jansa returned to power in March 2020. When the media is not independent, this right is violated. In many countries, the only capital available comes with strings attached: investment in return for editorial influence. The task of the mass media is to inform the public and to convey public opinion to decision-makers. Independent journalism is under threat, even in regions with traditionally strong democracies like the European Union. However, they choose the candidates based on the (1)facades they create, which causes the people to become (2)distorted by their seemingly noble intentions. Huge crowds gathered to condemn government moves to shrink the electoral authority, in what appeared to be the largest protest so far against President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador's administration. The media includes forms such as radio, television, newspapers or the Internet. If media does not discharge its responsibility independently in any democratic country, the politicians are bound to behave like dictations or even worse than them. If there is no freedom of expression if people are not free to share information and express a range of ideas, opinions and political views; and, the corollary to that, if people are not free to receive information in the form of a range of ideas, opinions and political views they will not be sufficiently well informed to make appropriate and meaningful political choices, whether at the ballot box or in their interactions with government more generally. As you're here, we have something to ask you. And unfortunately, some of the worst abuses are happening in countries where democratic gains are still being consolidated. "Alone and Exploited": NYT Expos Shows Migrant Kids in U.S. Forced If you are going to have a media that speaks in the same voice the voice of those who own and control it, that undermines media diversity and plurality and once that is undermined, it also undermines democracy itself. Hungarys government has been even more aggressive. Thomas O. Melia, Deputy Assistant Secretary of State in the Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights, and Labor described the rise in attacks on journalists as a symptom of a creeping majoritarianism in these countries, where electoral politics are well-established but dissent is still not tolerated. In America today, democracy is something we take pride in. So I think journalists should recultivate that trust by going out to communities. WHY IS HAVING AN INDEPENDENT MEDIA IMPORTANT? These third parties may set cookies that track your online behavior for marketing purposes. This would help reshape the financial landscape and create the space for independent journalism to continue despite the role of news aggregators. The other thing is that [it is] about time citizens those who can afford to support small media initiatives. Rather, America was intended to be a conglomeration of small governments, not one big government. Why donate to ICIJ? Only then can voters make an informed decision on what they view as the best way forward. inArticles, Media Law. Is Africas unity predicated on the colonial borders its trying to break? But, in my view, an independent media is one that is beholden to citizens as opposed to one that is beholden to power. In Czechia, Prime Minister Andrej Babi, who may be leaving power following recent elections, owns a large share of the countrys media outlets. Why Is Freedom Of The Press Important in a Democracy? His guests were veteran journalist Karima Brown, amaBhungane investigative journalist Micah Reddy, and Associate Professor Wallace Chuma from UCTs Centre for Film & Media Studies. Please review our, 1P_JAR,NID,__atuvc,__atuvs,_at.cww,at-lojson-cache-#(?),at-rand(? But theres also the monetary side of things. These cookies ensure basic functionalities and security features of the website, anonymously. A free media is considered as the backbone of any true democracy. According to Pew Research, 24% of Americans have listened to a podcast in the last month alone, or nearly 80 million people. How to Draft an Impressive Business Plan? There is no doubt that media has done a commendable job from time to time in making people aware about the harsh realities of life, in exposing corruption prevalent in our society, in increasing the awareness level among the people and a lot more but I feel that still a lot remains to be done. What comes . The press as advocate will report not only on what is happening but on what should be happening. No one sort of definition explains everything. However, in recent years the media has, like other agencies, come under the influence of politicians. New regulations against SLAPPs are on the agenda, and there is talk about how to better regulate online news aggregators. The media ecosystem is also changing in a way that directly threatens independent journalism. Another threat to independent journalism is frivolous litigation. Majority of media outlets are liberal companies, media personnel and journalists will identify themselves as democrats and liberals more so than republicans or conservatives and lastly the left side (liberals) of the mass media is persuasive on what information to report.