essay role of media in democracy

Essay on Role of Media in Democracy

Students are often asked to write an essay on Role of Media in Democracy in their schools and colleges. And if you’re also looking for the same, we have created 100-word, 250-word, and 500-word essays on the topic.

Let’s take a look…

100 Words Essay on Role of Media in Democracy

Introduction.

Media is a pillar of democracy. It informs the public, promotes transparency, and encourages citizen participation.

Media as an Informer

Media informs citizens about the activities of government. It helps people make informed decisions during elections.

Media and Transparency

Media exposes corruption and misuse of power. It holds leaders accountable, ensuring they serve public interest.

Media and Participation

Through debates and discussions, media encourages citizens to participate in democratic processes. It gives voice to the voiceless.

250 Words Essay on Role of Media in Democracy

Media, often hailed as the ‘Fourth Pillar’ of democracy, plays a pivotal role in shaping a healthy democracy. It is the backbone of a democracy, as it helps shape public opinion and influence the direction in which a society progresses.

Media as a Watchdog

Media’s primary role in a democracy is to act as a watchdog. It ensures the government’s accountability and transparency, scrutinizing its policies and decisions. By exposing corruption, inefficiency, and injustice, it empowers citizens to demand better governance.

Media as a Platform for Dialogue

Media also facilitates a healthy exchange of ideas, opinions, and criticisms. It provides a platform where different viewpoints can be expressed and heard, fostering a culture of debate and discussion, which is integral to a thriving democracy.

The Role of Media in Elections

Media’s role becomes particularly significant during elections. By providing comprehensive and unbiased information about candidates, their policies, and their performance, media allows voters to make informed choices, strengthening the electoral process.

Challenges and Conclusion

However, the power of media also poses challenges. Issues like fake news, media bias, and sensationalism can undermine its role in a democracy. Thus, it is crucial to promote media literacy, ethics, and regulations to ensure that media continues to serve as a pillar of democracy. Despite these challenges, it is undeniable that media plays a critical role in the functioning and preservation of democracy.

500 Words Essay on Role of Media in Democracy

The role of media in ensuring transparency.

In a democratic setup, media acts as a watchdog, keeping a vigilant eye on the actions of the government and other public figures. It investigates, exposes, and challenges any instances of corruption, malpractice, or abuse of power. By reporting on such issues, the media ensures accountability and transparency, thereby strengthening the democratic fabric of the society.

Media as a Platform for Debate and Discussion

Media also provides a platform for public debate and discussion. It encourages the exchange of ideas, opinions, and perspectives, which is crucial for the democratic process. Through news, talk shows, and panel discussions, media allows diverse viewpoints to be heard, fostering a culture of tolerance and mutual respect.

Media and Voter Awareness

Media and social change.

Media can also be a powerful tool for social change. By highlighting social issues and injustices, it can mobilize public opinion and spur collective action. Media campaigns on issues like gender discrimination, environmental conservation, and human rights have played a significant role in bringing about societal transformations.

Challenges and the Way Forward

Despite its crucial role, the media in a democracy faces several challenges. These include issues like media bias, sensationalism, and the influence of corporate and political interests. To overcome these challenges, there is a need for stringent regulations to ensure media independence and objectivity. Media literacy should also be promoted to enable the public to critically analyze media content.

If you’re looking for more, here are essays on other interesting topics:

Apart from these, you can look at all the essays by clicking here .

The Essential Role of Media in Democracy- 6 Key Points

Media is called the fourth pillar of democracy. The other three pillars are the legislature, the ae, the executive, and the judiciary. Media is the fourth pillar through which the government is able to reach its message to the people, again people’s complaints or messages to the government.

So the media must be transparent. If not, democracy will be endangered. In this article, I will analyze for you what role media plays in maintaining a democratic environment and what are the challenges in their work, and what should be done to get rid of those challenges.

Table of Contents

Role of Media in Democracy

By disseminating information, fostering public dialogue, holding authority figures responsible, and promoting transparency, the media is essential to democracy.

Free and independent media are crucial for the operation and development of the system in democracies . This article explores the significant role of media in democracy such as informing citizens, promoting political participation, and safeguarding democratic principles.

Here are the 6 key points that cover the essential role of media in democracy.

Informing Citizens
Media as Watchdog
Promoting Political Participation
Providing a Platform for Diverse Voices
Educating Citizens
Fostering Public Discourse

1. Informing Citizens

the role of media in democracy is to inform the public about current affairs, governmental initiatives, and other matters that have an impact on society.

The public and the government are connected through the media. It provides a field for the dissemination of information. Citizens can access diverse perspectives through newspapers, television, radio, and online platforms. News articles, and their analyses, enable them to make informed decisions.

2. Media as a Watchdog

As a watchdog, independent media monitor the actions of government institutions, politicians, and public officials. news media exposes corruption, malpractices, and abuse of power. it may be considered as the most important role of media in democracy.

Investigative journalism is crucial in creating openness and holding influential people and organizations accountable. By bringing such issues to light, the media helps in maintaining the integrity of democratic systems and fostering public trust.

3. Promoting Political Participation

promoting political participation is another key role of media in democracy. Media plays a vital role in promoting political participation among citizens. By covering elections, political campaigns, and debates, the media informs the public about the available choices and helps to shape public opinion.

Individuals who have access to information are more empowered and informed individuals actively participate in politics to make decisions and hold elected officials responsible for their actions. Media platforms also serve as forums for public discussions, allowing citizens to express their views and concerns, and fostering an inclusive democracy.

4. Providing a Platform for Diverse Voices

The sharing of ideas and the involvement of various voices are essential components of a thriving democracy. Whatever their background or socioeconomic class, media provides a platform for individuals and groups to communicate their beliefs and views. this fosters the role of media in democracy.

It gives a voice to marginalized communities to enable them by highlighting their issues and advocating for change. Media diversity ensures a plurality of viewpoints and promotes a vibrant democratic culture.

5. Educating Citizens

Media serves as an effective educational tool. It helps citizens to understand complex issues and policies. It explains the functioning of government institutions, the role of different branches of power, and the impact of decisions on society.

The media contributes to citizens becoming more civically educated by providing in-depth reporting and analysis that improves their comprehension of democratic procedures and their capacity for effective participation.

6. Fostering Public Discourse

The public debate and the interchange of ideas are facilitated by media channels both traditional and digital platforms. Opinion pieces, debates, and talk shows encourage the exploration of various viewpoints, leading to a better understanding of diverse perspectives.

Strong public discourse promotes democratic principles including tolerance, respect for opposing viewpoints, and the capacity for productive debate. Media serves as a catalyst for this discourse, helping societies to navigate complex societal issues and find common ground.

Challenges and Responsibilities of Media

The media in a democratic society faces numerous challenges and carries significant responsibilities. These challenges and responsibilities are crucial to address in order to uphold the integrity and effectiveness of the media in serving democratic principles. Here are some key challenges faced by the media in a democracy:

Challenges Faced by the Media in Democracy

Fake News and Misinformation: The growth of false information and fake news is a serious setback to the media. Rapidly disseminating false or misleading information has the potential to degrade democratic processes. It undermines public trust and sways public opinion also. Media organizations face the challenge of verifying information and ensuring accuracy before reporting.
Political Interference: Politicians or powerful interest groups may attempt to influence or control media content to serve their own agendas. Media independence and objectivity can be compromised by political intervention. It limits the media’s ability to serve as a watchdog and hold transparency. Media organizations need to resist undue influence and maintain their independence.
Economic Pressures: Media organizations often face economic pressures due to declining advertising revenues and competition from digital platforms. These pressures can lead to cost-cutting measures, compromising the quality and depth of reporting. Sustainable business models need to be developed to ensure the viability of independent journalism.
Lack of Media Diversity: Media concentration and lack of diversity in ownership and perspectives can limit the range of voices and viewpoints represented in the media. To ensure diverse viewpoints and to accurately reflect the interests and concerns of all societal groups, it is crucial to support media diversity.
Threats to Journalists’ Safety: Journalists often face physical threats, intimidation, and harassment when reporting on sensitive issues or exposing corruption. to maintain free and independent media, it is required to make sure that journalists are secure and protected.

Responsibilities of Media in Democratic Society

Accuracy and Truthfulness: It is the primary duty of the media to provide accurate and reliable information to the public. Fact-checking, verification of sources, and rigorous reporting standards are essential to maintain credibility and counter the spread of misinformation.
Ethical Reporting: Upholding ethical standards is vital for the media in a democracy. Fairness, impartiality, and transparency in reporting ensure that diverse perspectives are represented and that the public receives unbiased information. Media organizations must adhere to codes of ethics and professional standards.
Holding Power Accountable: The media is essential in ensuring that elected officials, public servants, and government agencies perform transparently and responsibly. Investigative reporting, exposing power abuses, and covering up corruption are crucial media duties in defending democratic ideals.
Public Interest Reporting: Media houses have a duty to report on topics of public interest, such as social justice, human rights, environmental issues, and other significant subjects. By bringing attention to these issues, the media contributes to informed public discourse and helps address societal challenges.
Promoting Civic Engagement: Media should actively encourage citizen participation in democratic processes. By providing platforms for public debates, hosting discussions, and facilitating public discourse, the media fosters civic engagement and promotes an informed and active citizenry.
Diverse Representation: Media organizations should strive for diversity in their newsrooms and ensure representation from different backgrounds, cultures, and perspectives. This helps to overcome biases and provides a broader range of viewpoints, fostering inclusivity in democratic societies.
Media Literacy: The media promote media literacy among the public. Educating citizens on how to critically analyze information, discern credible sources, and navigate the media landscape helps empower individuals to be active and informed participants in the democratic process.

In conclusion on the role of media in democracy, it can be claimed that free and independent media is essential to a democracy. Its role in informing citizens, holding power accountable, promoting political participation, and facilitating public discourse is essential for the functioning of democratic systems.

By providing diverse perspectives, empowering citizens, and ensuring transparency, media contributes to the development and progress of democratic societies. However, preserving the integrity of media and upholding democratic values require ongoing efforts from both media organizations and the citizens they serve.

Let me share with you what you have learned from “ The Essential Role of Media in Democracy “.

Must Read Guide-

Pressure Group: Meaning, Definitions, Features, & 4Types
Political Culture: Meaning, Features, 3 Types, and Importance
The Role of Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs) to Achieve Social Change: 8 Examples

Sharing is Caring :)

Role Of Media In Democracy (Essay Sample)

Role of media in democracy.

Media is the common communication channels or apparatus that are used to store or supply information or data. It is either related with communication media or specialized mass publishing communication operations such as the print publisher, advertising, broadcasting (radio and television), cinema, photography, and the press. Democracy in present day usage, is a setup of government in which the taxpayers practice power directly or choose a democrat from among themselves to design a control body, such as the parliament. Democracy is sometimes referred to as “rule of the majority”. A media democracy is one which uses information technology to both liberate citizens and promote democratic ideology through the distribution of information. This essay seeks to describe media and its roles in democracy.

Media is defined as one of the methods of widespread communication in the society, as radio, television, and newspapers etc. the evolution of human communication though developed channels i.e. not gestures or vocalization dates back to prehistoric writings, drawn maps, and cave paintings. The Persian Empire which is known today as Iran played an important role in subject of communication. It has the initial postal system which is indicated that the Persian emperor Cyrus the Great developed it after his defeat of Media. The word communication is also derived from Latin meaning communicare and this was after the Roman Empire devised what might be labeled as a mail in order to focus control of the power from Rome. The mail permitted for personal letters and for Rome to collect knowledge about the happenings in its broad provinces.

Since the 17th century, the role of media in democracy has been acknowledged. Currently, despite the media’s likelihood for corruption, superficiality, and sensationalism, the idea of media as a watchdog of public interest and as a channel between the leaders and the governed stays deeply established. In many infant democracies, the media have been able to maintain their role in strengthening and intensive democracy. Scrutiny reports which in some ways have led to the stepping down of presidents and the fall of corrupt regimes has made the media an effective guardian among the public. Scrutiny reporting has also enabled the accustom executives to a curios press and help create a culture of truth and exposure that has made democratically elected regimes more accountable.

Democracy needs the live participation of citizens. Preferably, the media should keep citizens attached to the business of the government by educating, informing, and mobilizing the mass. In numerous new democracies, radio has become the instrument of choice, as it is less costly and more available. The community radio and FM have been helpful tools for advocating grassroots democracy by expressing local issues, providing another source of information to authority channels and displaying ethnic and linguistic array. The internet as well can engage in such as role due to its interactivity, fairly low costs of logging, and sovereignty from state control. The media can also build peace and social accord. The media can distribute fighting groups with methods for mediation, illustration and opinion so one can settle differences peacefully.

In conclusion, the media has played important roles in the democracy. Media as channel of communication, it helped to guard the public’s interests. This is through exposing corrupt regimes and executives who have misused public resources. The media is also an effective tool for resolving conflicts through giving opinions and ways for mediation. The media is also helpful in advocating for popular issues arising from the community.

A-Z Publications

Annual Review of Political Science

Volume 6, 2003, review article, t he m edia and d emocracy : beyond myths and stereotypes.

Doris Graber 1
View Affiliations Hide Affiliations Affiliations: Department of Political Science, University of Illinois, 1007 W. Harrison Street, Chicago, Illinois 60607-7137; email: [email protected]
Vol. 6:139-160 (Volume publication date June 2003) https://doi.org/10.1146/annurev.polisci.6.121901.085707
First published as a Review in Advance on December 08, 2002
© Annual Reviews

This essay's point of departure is the hallowed belief that democracy requires active citizens and news media that supply them with information they need to participate effectively in politics. The main features of this model of a functioning democracy, including the underlying assumptions, are tested and found wanting. Neither citizens nor media are capable of performing the roles expected of them. The appropriateness of these roles for life in modern societies is also open to question, as are the many myths and stereotypes that obscure the interface between media and democracy. The fact that democracy can persist despite citizens and media that fall short of the expected performance suggests that political culture may be more important than citizen wisdom and media excellence. Rallies in civic activism during crises may also be a major factor in the durability of democratic governance in the United States.

Article metrics loading...

Full text loading...

Article Type: Review Article

Most Read This Month

Most cited most cited rss feed, framing theory, discursive institutionalism: the explanatory power of ideas and discourse, historical institutionalism in comparative politics, the origins and consequences of affective polarization in the united states, political trust and trustworthiness, public attitudes toward immigration, what have we learned about the causes of corruption from ten years of cross-national empirical research, what do we know about democratization after twenty years, economic determinants of electoral outcomes, public deliberation, discursive participation, and citizen engagement: a review of the empirical literature.

Publication Date: 01 Jun 2003

Online Option

Sign in to access your institutional or personal subscription or get immediate access to your online copy - available in PDF and ePub formats

Study Notes
Current Affairs
Getting Started

NEW! The Gist (JUNE-24) | E-BOOKS

HOT! UPSC IAS COMPLETE PDF NOTES

(Essay) An Essay: Role of media in a democracy

An essay: role of media in a democracy, introduction.

Democracy means "A system of government in which all the people of a country can vote to elect their representatives". Media came into existence in 1780 with the introduction of a newspaper namely The Bengal Gazette and since then it has matured leaps and bounds. It has been playing a very important role in shaping human minds.

Role of media

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 activities happening around the world. It is like a mirror, which shows us or strives to show us the bare truth and harsh realities of life. The media has undoubtedly evolved and become more active over the years. It is the media only who reminds politicians about their unfulfilled promises at the time of elections. T.V news channels' excessive coverage during elections helps people, especially illiterates, in electing the right person to the power. This reminder compels politicians to be upto their promises in order to remain in power. 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's attention. 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. 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. 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. Thanks to technology that has brought a kind of revolution in journalism.

Impact of media

The impact of media is really noteworthy. Excessive coverage or hype of sensitive news has led to communal riots at times. The illiterates are more prone to provocations than the literates. Constant repetition of the news, especially sensational news, breeds apathy and insensitivity. For instance, In Dhananjoy Chatterjee case, the overloaded hype led to death of quite a few children who imitated the hanging procedure which was repeatedly shown in most of the T.V. news channels. There is a plethora of such negative impacts. Media should take utmost care in airing or publishing such sensational news. 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. Media experts say this is one of the means of attracting readers who are glued to T.V. news channels, which have cropped up swiftly in a recent past and they believe this is a cheap form of journalism.

No one is perfect in this world and so is the media. Here I am not degrading the media, rather I would say there is still a lot of scope for improvement by which media can raise upto the aspirations of the people for which it is meant. I 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. The present media revolution has helped people in making an informed decisions and this has led to beginning of a new era in a democracy.

Courtesy : ias aspirant

Iasguru's blog

NEW! UPSC IAS COMPLETE NOTES

NEW! UPSC MAINS G.S. 12 Years Solved Papers

NEW! UPSC Exam Complete Study Notes (PDF Available)

ALERT: UPSC IAS, IPS, IFS 2024-2025 Exam...
Download UPSC IAS PRELIM (GS+CSAT) Question...
(Download) UPSC Toppers Study Notes PDF
UPSC Exam Complete Study Notes 2024-2025-...
(Download) UPSC, IAS MAINS Exam Previous...
Getting Started for UPSC, IAS Exam - FAQ for...
UPSC Civil Services PRELIM Exam 2024, 2025...
UPSC आईएएस प्रारंभिक परीक्षा पिछले वर्ष के...
Download E-Books PDF for UPSC IAS Exams
(Date Sheet) UPSC IAS EXAM Calendar 2024
New! THE HINDU, YOJANA, PIB PDF
New! UPSC PRELIM Papers 2004-2023
IAS परीक्षा पेपर in Hindi 2004-2023
UPSC Syllabus PDF Download
New! IAS MAINS Papers 2010-2023
PDF Study Notes for UPSC (Hot!)
E-books PDF Download
NCERT Books Download | NCERT Hindi PDF
New! UPSC MAINS SOLVED PAPERS PDF
OLD NCERT PDF
UPSC 2024 Exam Calendar

UPSC 2024-25 | Papers | Study Notes | Coaching | E-Books

UPSC Hindi | यूपीइससी 2024-25 | पेपर्स | IAS HINDI NOTES

Disclaimer: IAS EXAM PORTAL (UPSC PORTAL) is not associated with Union Public Service Commission, For UPSC official website visit - www.upsc.gov.in

About Us | Contact Us | Terms & Conditions | Privacy Policy

The Functions of the Media for Democracy

Cite this chapter.

Lisa Müller

Part of the book series: Challenges to Democracy in the 21st Century series ((CDC))

388 Accesses

Normative standards or roles that define how institutions which hold a specific function in society should operate serve well as benchmarks to evaluate their actual performance (McQuail 1992: 17; Norris and Odugbemi 2010: 12). Hence, this chapter aims to clarify the normative standards of democratic media performance in order to avoid the ‘theoretical vacuum’ of many previous comparative media studies (Hallin and Mancini 2012b: 214). In other words, to carry out a systematic analysis of mass media’s contribution to democracy, it is first of all necessary to identify the functions that media are supposed to fulfill in a democracy. This further requires specifying how the media’s compliance with such functions manifests itself in reality, that is, how their democratic performance can be empirically observed.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this chapter

Subscribe and save.

Get 10 units per month
Download Article/Chapter or Ebook
1 Unit = 1 Article or 1 Chapter
Cancel anytime
Available as PDF
Read on any device
Instant download
Own it forever
Available as EPUB and PDF
Compact, lightweight edition
Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
Free shipping worldwide - see info
Durable hardcover edition

Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout

Purchases are for personal use only

Institutional subscriptions

Unable to display preview. Download preview PDF.

Mediatization at the Structural Level: Independence from Politics, Dependence on the Market

How the Media Systems Work in Central and Eastern Europe

Media Accountability in a Non-democratic Context: Conceptual Challenges and Adaptations

You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Copyright information

About this chapter

Müller, L. (2014). The Functions of the Media for Democracy. In: Comparing Mass Media in Established Democracies. Challenges to Democracy in the 21st Century series. Palgrave Macmillan, London. https://doi.org/10.1057/9781137391384_3

Download citation

DOI : https://doi.org/10.1057/9781137391384_3

Publisher Name : Palgrave Macmillan, London

Print ISBN : 978-1-349-48293-1

Online ISBN : 978-1-137-39138-4

eBook Packages : Palgrave Political Science Collection Political Science and International Studies (R0)

Share this chapter

Anyone you share the following link with will be able to read this content:

Sorry, a shareable link is not currently available for this article.

Provided by the Springer Nature SharedIt content-sharing initiative

Publish with us

Policies and ethics

Find a journal
Track your research

Entertainment
Environment
Information Science and Technology
Social Issues

Home Essay Samples Government Democracy

The Role of Media in Democracy: Navigating Information and Accountability

Table of contents, the watchdog function: holding power accountable, shaping public opinion: the power of influence, challenges in the digital age: navigating misinformation.

McChesney, R. W. (2014). Digital Disconnect: How Capitalism is Turning the Internet Against Democracy. The New Press.
Ginsberg, B., Castells, M., & Curran, J. (Eds.). (2004). Media and Society: A Critical Perspective. Oxford University Press.
Habermas, J. (2006). Political Communication in Media Society: Does Democracy Still Enjoy an Epistemic Dimension? The Impact of Normative Theory on Empirical Research. Communication Theory, 16(4), 411-426.
Entman, R. M. (2012). Scandal and Silence: Media Responses to Presidential Misconduct. Wiley-Blackwell.
Lichtenberg, J. (2016). The Role of the Press in Democracy: An Analysis of the Problem-Solving Function of the Press. Oxford University Press.

*minimum deadline

Cite this Essay

To export a reference to this article please select a referencing style below

Police Brutality
Ulysses Grant
Dictatorship

Related Essays

Need writing help?

You can always rely on us no matter what type of paper you need

*No hidden charges

100% Unique Essays

Absolutely Confidential

Money Back Guarantee

By clicking “Send Essay”, you agree to our Terms of service and Privacy statement. We will occasionally send you account related emails

You can also get a UNIQUE essay on this or any other topic

Thank you! We’ll contact you as soon as possible.

100, 200, 250, 300 & 400 Word Essay on The Role of the Media in a Democratic Society

Table of Contents

The Role of the Media in a Democratic Society 100-Word Essay

The role of media in a democratic society is of the utmost importance. The media acts as a watchdog, ensuring transparency and accountability in the government and other institutions. It provides a platform for the exchange of ideas and opinions, facilitating informed discussions on crucial matters. Moreover, the media plays a vital role in safeguarding individual freedoms by highlighting social injustices and giving a voice to marginalized groups. It empowers citizens by keeping them informed about their rights and responsibilities. By fostering an informed citizenry, the media helps in shaping public opinion and influencing policy decisions. In a democratic society, the media acts as a bridge between the government and the people, ensuring a healthy and vibrant democracy.

The Role of the Media in a Democratic Society 200-Word Essay

Media plays a crucial role in shaping and maintaining a democratic society. It acts as the bridge between the government and the citizens, providing impartial and accurate information to help citizens make informed decisions. Through its various forms such as print media, television, and the internet, the media ensures transparency and accountability in governance.

Media also serves as a platform for freedom of speech and expression, allowing different voices to be heard. It acts as a watchdog, keeping a check on the government’s actions, and holding them accountable for their decisions. Furthermore, the media helps to educate and raise awareness about social issues, promoting a sense of social responsibility among citizens.

In a democratic society, the media acts as the fourth estate, playing a crucial role in shaping public opinion. It empowers citizens by providing a platform for discussion and debate, facilitating the exchange of ideas, and promoting diversity of thought. It helps to foster a sense of community and unity among citizens by disseminating objective information and encouraging dialogue.

In conclusion, the media plays an integral role in a democratic society. It acts as a guardian of democracy, ensuring transparency, accountability, and freedom of speech. It serves as a crucial link between the government and the citizens, promoting informed decision-making and facilitating public discourse. In today’s rapidly changing world, the media’s role in a democratic society has become even more important, as it continues to adapt and evolve to meet the needs and demands of citizens.

The Role of the Media in a Democratic Society 250-Word Essay

In a democratic society, the media plays a vital role in shaping public opinion, facilitating dialogue, and holding the government accountable. It serves as a cornerstone of democracy, providing citizens with access to information and diverse viewpoints. The media acts as a watchdog, ensuring transparency and exposing corruption within the government. It also enables citizens to participate actively in the democratic process by providing a platform for political debate and discussion.

Through unbiased reporting, media organizations inform citizens about current events, allowing them to make informed decisions and participate in the democratic process. By analyzing policies, interpreting government actions, and presenting different perspectives, the media fosters critical thinking and encourages citizens to engage in thoughtful discussions. This exchange of ideas is crucial for a healthy democracy, as it ensures that all voices are heard and different viewpoints are considered.

Furthermore, the media acts as a check on government power by investigating and exposing any wrongdoing or abuses of authority. It holds the government accountable for its actions and promotes transparency in governance. By keeping the citizens informed, media organizations empower individuals to act as vigilant citizens, actively participating in the democratic process.

In conclusion, the media plays a crucial role in a democratic society by providing citizens with information, facilitating dialogue, and holding the government accountable. It serves as a platform for free speech, promoting an open and informed society. A vibrant and independent media is essential for the functioning of democracy, ensuring that power remains in check and citizens have the information they need to make informed decisions.

The Role of the Media in a Democratic Society 300-Word Essay

In a democratic society, the role of media is of paramount importance. Media acts as the voice of the people, providing information, fostering public debate, and holding those in power accountable. It plays a crucial role in shaping public opinion while acting as a bridge between governing bodies and citizens.

Informing citizens

One of the primary functions of the media in a democratic society is to inform the public. Through various channels, such as newspapers, television, radio, and online platforms, the media disseminates news, facts, and analysis about national and international events. By doing so, it ensures that citizens have access to diverse sources of information, enabling them to make informed decisions and participate effectively in the democratic process.

Fostering Public Debate

Another vital role of media in a democratic society is to foster public debate on major issues. Media creates a platform for citizens to express their views and opinions, encouraging the free exchange of ideas. It serves as a channel where differing perspectives can be heard, aiding in the formulation of well-rounded and inclusive policies. Through responsible journalism and investigative reporting, media organizations challenge power structures, thereby safeguarding democracy and preventing the concentration of power.

Holding Power Accountable

Media acts as a watchdog, holding those in power accountable for their actions and decisions. By investigating and reporting on government activities, the media exposes corruption, abuse of power, and unethical practices. This acts as a deterrent to ensure that those in power act in the best interest of the public. Through investigative reporting, the media ensures transparency and helps citizens make informed choices while electing their representatives.

In a democratic society, media plays a pivotal role in providing information, fostering public debate, and holding power accountable. Its role as a conduit for information ensures an informed citizenry, giving them the ability to participate actively in the democratic process. By fostering public debate and holding power accountable, the media acts as a catalyst for change and ensures the integrity and longevity of democratic values. Hence, the media’s role cannot be understated in safeguarding and promoting democracy.

The Role of the Media in a Democratic Society 400-Word Essay

The role of the media in a democratic society.

The media plays a crucial role in shaping and maintaining a democratic society. It serves as a watchtower, holding those in power accountable and providing citizens with the information necessary for informed decision-making. In a democratic society, the media acts as a bridge between the government and the people, ensuring transparency, accountability, and the protection of civil liberties.

One essential function of the media in a democratic society is to inform the public about current events and issues. Through journalism, media organizations report on a wide range of topics, from local news to global affairs, helping citizens to stay informed and engaged. By providing a platform for diverse viewpoints and expert analysis, the media promotes an informed and well-rounded understanding of complex issues.

Another critical role of the media is to act as a watchdog. It exposes corruption, abuses of power, and wrongdoing within institutions, including the government. Through investigative journalism, the media uncovers hidden truths, thereby holding those in power accountable. By ensuring the flow of information, the media helps prevent the rise of authoritarian tendencies and promotes transparency in democratic governance.

Moreover, the media amplifies the voices of marginalized groups and acts as a channel for public opinion. It provides a platform for individuals and interest groups to express their concerns, providing a crucial avenue for free speech and democratic participation. In doing so, the media ensures that the government is responsive to the needs and aspirations of all citizens, regardless of their class, race, or gender.

However, with great power comes great responsibility. It is essential for media organizations to maintain journalistic integrity and uphold ethical standards. Sensationalism, biases, and misinformation can undermine the democratic process, eroding public trust. Therefore, media organizations should strive to provide accurate, balanced, and reliable information to maintain the integrity of democratic societies.

In conclusion, the media plays a vital role in a democratic society by providing information, acting as a watchdog, and amplifying public voices. A free and independent media is essential to ensure a well-functioning democracy, promoting transparency, accountability, and the protection of civil liberties. As citizens, it is our responsibility to support and defend the media’s role in preserving a democratic society.

100, 200, 350 & 500 words Essay on Types of Disasters in Sports in English & Hindi

50, 100, 200, 250, 300 & 400 Word Essay on The Three Roles of the Media in a Democratic Society

ROLE OF MEDIA IN A DEMOCRACY

Related Papers

The role of the Media in a Democracy

Jeffrey Motlhamme

The role of the media in democracy differs from context to context. In this sense, the role of the media in a democracy depends on the type of democracy within which that media operates. The most important role of the media in a democracy is not only to protect the views and interests of the public; it is also to prevent tyranny of the majority within that same public in a democratic state. It has to be considered that even in a democratic state, there is a multiplicity of conflicting identities, views and interests. Thus, any form of media that seeks to play a role in democracy has to approach their role with an understanding of these issues. In essence, in playing their role, the media has to come to the realization that there are contestations.

International Journal of Applied Research in Social Sciences

ibrahim ukka

The media is the fourth pillar of democracy after the executive, the legislature and the judiciary. Media as control over the three pillars and underpin their performance with checks and balances. to be able to perform its role should be upheld the freedom of the press in conveying public information in an honest and balanced manner. besides that also to uphold this fourth pillar, the media must also be free from capitalism and politics. Media that does not merely support the interests of the owners of capital and perpetuates political power without considering the interests of the larger society. the possibility of freedom of the press institution that is captured by the interests of capitalism and politics, encourages the spirit of citizen journalism. the term citizen journalism to explain the processing and presentation of news by citizens rather than professional journalists. journalism activities undertaken by citizens as a manifestation of aspirations and the delivery of popul...

Anshul Jain

Afshin Ismaeli

This thesis examines the professional notion and attitudes of journalists in Kurdistan region, highlighting improvements in media performances in addition to indicating to the role of journalists in developing democracies and specific conflicts of journalists with societal norms, political and economic interests. Iraqi Kurdistan is an example of democratic transition in the middle of conflict hot zone. The study is based on qualitative interviews with journalists and managers of Rudaw media network.

Aysegul Kars Kaynar

Alexx C H U M B A Gibbs

Camelia Pavel

Based on reviews of communication literature, the present paper intends to analyze the functions of mass media from the theoretical points of view. It is established through the findings that mass media plays a significant role in modern society. They bring about a general diffusion of knowledge about life in the world today, thus influencing many aspects of our social, political and economic patterns. Mass media has certain important functions to perform which include influencing public opinion, determining the political agenda, providing a link between the government and the people, acting as a government watchdog, and affecting socialization, entertainment, educating the masses, and mobilization as well.

Abida Ashraf

Emmanuel R Marabuka

Gizem Sadak

Democracy, which consists of the combination of demos meaning "people" in the Greek language and kratos meaning "administration", means management of the people. However, a model in which the public directly shapes the management process is not available at any time in modern history. Therefore, it's more realistic to express democracy as a management model in which the real representatives of the people have the power to make decisions. Cincotta (2013), also explains Democracy as, "Democracy…is defined, basically, as government in which the supreme power is vested in the people. In some forms, democracy can be exercised directly by the people; in large societies, it's by the people through their elected agents, Or, in the memorable phrase of President Abraham Lincoln, democracy is government of the people, by the people, and for the people" (p.1). One of the factors that strengthens democracy is the media. As Ababa (2019) indicates, free, objective and competent media-plays a vital role in democracy. Media delivers information that allows voters to make informed choices within and outside the voting booth as well as can also contribute to the political process by encouraging politicians to respond to the citizens and to work on subjects of actual public interest. (p.9) In the light of Ababa's arguments, we could say that media is the tool that bridges between people and the government along with contributes to the democratic conduct of the state. There is a strong dependency between the media and democracy. The media institution is supposed to function as an informing authority and must mediate between government and citizens, among the politicians, also enables the communication between the citizens. Moreover, to give a place for freedom of expression. Lastly, to be the fourth arm of the

Loading Preview

Sorry, preview is currently unavailable. You can download the paper by clicking the button above.

Sample details

Government,
Role Of Media

Role Of Media In a Democracy

Democracy is a system of governance in which citizens exercise their power by electing representatives through voting. Media has played a significant role since the establishment of “The Bengal Gazette” newspaper in 1780, evolving over time. It holds great influence over human thoughts and perceptions.

Role of media

The media plays a crucial role in fostering a strong democracy, serving as its bedrock. Its primary responsibility is to keep the public well-informed about global social, political, and economic happenings. In essence, it acts as a mirror of society, striving to present us with the unfiltered reality and challenging aspects of life. As time goes by, it has become increasingly proactive in ensuring that politicians are held accountable for their unfulfilled promises during elections by extensively covering them on television news channels. This extensive coverage aids in educating individuals with limited literacy on making informed choices when selecting leaders. Additionally, television and radio have made remarkable strides in providing education to rural communities with restricted literacy levels by delivering information in their local languages.

The media’s coverage of exploitative malpractices by village heads and moneylenders has prompted the government to take stringent actions against them. This attention drawn by the media has also led to the exposure of loopholes in the democratic system, which subsequently get resolved, ultimately making the system more accountable, responsive, and citizen-friendly. Just like a vehicle without wheels, democracy without media is incomplete. In today’s age of information technology, we are constantly bombarded with information, able to access the pulse of global events with a simple click. The flow of information has increased tremendously thanks to the perfect synergy between technology and journalists, resulting in uncovering rampant corruption.

Cite this page

https://graduateway.com/role-of-media-in-a-democracy/

You can get a custom paper by one of our expert writers

Electronic And Print Media

Media Violence
Constitution
Digital Media

Check more samples on your topics

Social media as a threat to democracy.

Effects of Social Media

Hillary Clinton

On its inception, social media was seen as the perfect tool which would serve as the voice for the marginalized masses. However, as time goes by this hope and reputation is sadly fading away where social media has been used as a manipulative tool. Social media is being used by those in power to tune

What is the role of political parties in a democracy

The purpose of this essay is to discuss the roles of political parties in a democracy. Before going any further, the discussion will start with an introduction where key terminologies making the question will be defined, secondly a discussion on roles played by political parties in a democracy with the aid of examples and lastly

Discuss the importance of media convergence in the new media age

Thanks to the development of technology, today, we testimony the development of new media, which is the change process of the digital computer (Manovich, 2002). Manovich (2002) states when cinema was appeared in our life hundred years ago, people totally realize the importance of the new media revolution and it was also the possibility that

Print Media Evolution: The trend affected by media technologies

Print Media Evolution: The trend affected by media technologiesCommunication is one of the major underpinnings of society. Communication is not only a human activity, but a function that gives distinction to how people interact with each other, influence one another, and grow and develop into societies that share the same knowledge and encourage more dialogue.Communication

Is Print Media Replaced by Electronic Media?

We are living in the age of information explosion, where the world has shrunk into a global village. The vital function of Mass Media is that it is the thinking mode of any society. Media plays a very important role in bringing about awareness among the people in society. The awareness can be in terms of

Media Literacy Essay: Media Effects on Individuals & Society Prompt

Media in our lives can completely alter our views on situations occurring in our society. Media provides valuable information about current events, entertainment, and affairs that take place locally and worldwide, allowing us as views to create our own vies and thoughts on the story being told. To put media effects into a scenario, take

How does your opinion transfer to media coverage? How does the media affect you as a voter?

The textbook defines public opinion as, “ A collection of popular views about something, perhaps a person, a local or national event, or a new idea.” It is important to note that a person’s beliefs and attitudes are inherently tied to their opinions. I personally would be the typical person that falls in this category. My

An Analysis of the Contrasting Ideas that Media is Overtly and Inferentially Racist and the Outsiders in Media Produced for Minority Groups

Last week, James Lull's "Hegemony" and Stuart Hall's "Deconstructing the Popular". Discussed how dominance is asserted over other cultures, both actively and passively. As I mentioned in my response last week. Lull tends to favor a more passive model of hegemony, while Hall describes the process as "active marginalization." This combination of active and passive

The Impact of Violent Media on Children Today Depicted in Whodunit-The Media, an Essay by Maggie Cutler

Video games are causing behavioral problems in children, they see the violence and they think that is how real life is. In the first paragraph Cutler gives some evidence how violence in the media is affecting children. Some of the evidence Cutler given is that the television council accounted that per-hour rate for violence and

Hi, my name is Amy 👋

In case you can't find a relevant example, our professional writers are ready to help you write a unique paper. Just talk to our smart assistant Amy and she'll connect you with the best match.

Classroom Programme
Interview Guidance
Online Programme
Drishti Store
My Bookmarks
My Progress
Change Password
From The Editor's Desk
How To Use The New Website
Help Centre

Achievers Corner

Topper's Interview
About Civil Services
UPSC Prelims Syllabus
GS Prelims Strategy
Prelims Analysis
GS Paper-I (Year Wise)
GS Paper-I (Subject Wise)
CSAT Strategy
Previous Years Papers
Practice Quiz
Weekly Revision MCQs
60 Steps To Prelims
Prelims Refresher Programme 2020

Mains & Interview

Mains GS Syllabus
Mains GS Strategy
Mains Answer Writing Practice
Essay Strategy
Fodder For Essay
Model Essays
Drishti Essay Competition
Ethics Strategy
Ethics Case Studies
Ethics Discussion
Ethics Previous Years Q&As
Papers By Years
Papers By Subject
Be MAINS Ready
Awake Mains Examination 2020
Interview Strategy
Interview Guidance Programme

Current Affairs

Daily News & Editorial
Daily CA MCQs
Sansad TV Discussions
Monthly CA Consolidation
Monthly Editorial Consolidation
Monthly MCQ Consolidation

Drishti Specials

To The Point
Important Institutions
Learning Through Maps
PRS Capsule
Summary Of Reports
Gist Of Economic Survey

Study Material

NCERT Books
NIOS Study Material
IGNOU Study Material
Yojana & Kurukshetra
Chhatisgarh
Uttar Pradesh
Madhya Pradesh

Test Series

UPSC Prelims Test Series
UPSC Mains Test Series
UPPCS Prelims Test Series
UPPCS Mains Test Series
BPSC Prelims Test Series
RAS/RTS Prelims Test Series
Daily Editorial Analysis
YouTube PDF Downloads
Strategy By Toppers
Ethics - Definition & Concepts
Mastering Mains Answer Writing
Places in News
UPSC Mock Interview
PCS Mock Interview
Interview Insights
Prelims 2019
Product Promos

Make Your Note

Biased Media is a Real Threat to Indian Democracy

29 Mar 2024
10 min read

Whoever controls the media, controls the mind

― Jim Morrison

Media plays a crucial role in any democratic society by providing information, shaping public opinion, and holding those in power accountable. However, the rise of biased media poses a significant threat to the democratic fabric of India. In recent years, Indian media has come under scrutiny for its biased reporting, sensationalism, and lack of objectivity.

Media serves as the fourth pillar of democracy, alongside the executive, legislative, and judiciary branches. Its primary function is to inform citizens, facilitate debate, and act as a watchdog over the government and other powerful institutions. In India, a diverse and vibrant media landscape has emerged since independence, comprising print, broadcast, and digital platforms. However, the proliferation of biased media outlets has blurred the lines between news and propaganda, posing a grave danger to democracy.

Biased media outlets in India often prioritize sensationalism over substance, resorting to inflammatory rhetoric and divisive narratives to attract viewership or readership. This sensationalism contributes to the spread of misinformation and the polarization of society along religious, ethnic, and political lines. Moreover, biased reporting can sway public opinion, influence electoral outcomes, and undermine the credibility of democratic institutions.

The phenomenon of biased media in India is exacerbated by various challenges to press freedom , including political pressure, corporate influence, and legal threats. The concentration of media ownership in the hands of a few conglomerates limits the diversity of viewpoints and fosters self-censorship among journalists. These challenges impede the media's ability to fulfill its democratic mandate and hold power to account.

Political pressure on media outlets is a common phenomenon in India, where governments often seek to control the narrative and suppress dissenting voices. Media outlets are made manipulated by giving them ads by the political parties for suppressing the truth and spreading rumours and fake news.

Corporate interests often wield significant influence over media organizations through ownership or advertising revenue. A prime example is the Reliance Group , one of India's largest conglomerates with interests in various sectors, including media. Reliance's ownership of a certain media platform, which controls several news channels and digital media platforms, has raised concerns about editorial independence and bias. Critics argue that Reliance's business interests may influence media coverage to favor its corporate agenda, thereby compromising journalistic integrity.

The consequences of biased media on Indian democracy are far-reaching and multifaceted. It erodes public trust in the media as an impartial source of information, leading to widespread cynicism and apathy towards democratic institutions. It undermines the pluralistic fabric of Indian society by fostering intolerance and bigotry towards marginalized communities. It compromises the integrity of electoral processes by manipulating public opinion and influencing voter behavior. Overall, biased media contributes to the erosion of democratic norms and values, posing a serious threat to the future of Indian democracy.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, misleading stories about the death toll and government responses deepened the crisis. Twitter censorship of critical tweets and pro-government channels blaming farmers’ protests for oxygen shortages distorted the truth and undermined trust in the media. This jeopardizes their ability to report objectively and hold those in power accountable. Attacks on journalists who expose corruption or criticize political leaders endanger press freedom and democratic functioning.

Sonam Wangchuk, the renowned climate activist and educationalist , recently concluded his 21-day climate fast in Leh, Ladakh. During this period, he sustained himself solely on water and salt, drawing attention to critical issues affecting the region.

Wangchuk’s fast was a powerful statement, emphasizing the need to protect Ladakh’s fragile ecology and indigenous culture . He emphasized the importance of character and foresight in addressing Ladakh’s concerns. Wangchuk’s fast garnered support from various socio-political bodies in Ladakh, including the Kargil Democratic Alliance . Members of the KDA also joined him in hunger strikes, amplifying their collective voice but big news channels and media houses ignored incident and did not provided proper coverage.

Moreover, the Sushant Singh Rajput case became a media frenzy, with sensationalism overshadowing more critical matters. The media’s obsession with Sushant Singh Rajput’s death transformed a tragic suicide into a relentless investigation, streamed live day after day.

Instead of focusing on the actual tragedy, the spotlight shifted to an actress portrayed as the evil intriguer and the perfect cinematic vamp.

The arrest of actress, after relentless pursuit, was celebrated by those addicted to this media spectacle. The media’s gossipy edge often carries deep shades of misogyny. The private-public separation blurred. While the media chased actresses and sensationalized the Rajput case, other crucial issues in the country were sidelined. The Bombay High Court recognized the harm caused by trial by media, obstructing fair criminal case investigations. The media’s role should be to inform, not to manipulate public sentiment.

The practice of accepting money from political parties to publish favorable stories or suppress negative ones, often referred to as "paid news," undermines the integrity of journalism and erodes public trust in the media. This phenomenon is particularly prevalent during election campaigns when political parties seek to manipulate public opinion and gain an unfair advantage. One notable example of paid news occurred during the run-up to the 2014 general elections in India.

Media showed one sided news about CAA-NRC and misled minorities that led to widespread protest in country. The media played a significant role in shaping public perception of the CAA. Some channels sensationalized the issue, focusing on specific narratives while ignoring broader implications. The trial by media approach led to polarization and misinformation . Social media also played a role, with fact-checkers attempting to correct misinformation.

Addressing the issue of biased media requires concerted efforts from multiple stakeholders, including policymakers, media professionals, civil society organizations, and the general public. There is a need for stringent regulations and mechanisms to hold media outlets accountable for ethical breaches and misinformation. Media literacy programs should be implemented to educate citizens about the importance of critical thinking and discerning reliable sources of information. Independent media watchdogs and ombudsmen should be empowered to monitor media content and address complaints from the public. Additionally, promoting diversity and plurality in the media industry through initiatives such as community media and public broadcasting can help counteract the influence of biased media conglomerates.

Biased media poses a grave threat to Indian democracy by undermining the principles of transparency , accountability, and pluralism. Its sensationalism, misinformation, and propaganda have the potential to subvert democratic processes and foster social division. Therefore, it is imperative to address the root causes of biased media and implement reforms to safeguard press freedom and media integrity. Only by upholding the highest standards of journalistic ethics and promoting media pluralism can India realize its democratic aspirations and uphold the rights of its citizens.

Even if you are a minority of one, the truth is the truth.

—Mahatma Gandhi

MINI REVIEW article

The new democratisation: social media impact on the political process in sub-saharan africa.

1 Department of Mass Communication, Babcock University, Ikenne, Nigeria
2 Department of Information Technology, Babcock University, Ikenne, Nigeria

The integration of social media into political discourse is becoming the norm, facilitating citizen engagement and amplifying voices across the Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA). This study centered on a literature review on the role of social media in political participation within the region. Through exploration across three databases, 50 articles were identified, with 42% of these closely related to the research focus and categorized under five distinct themes. Findings reveal various perspectives on the impact of social media on political engagement, with scholars offering different interpretations on its influence. Furthermore, majority of research underscores the role of social media in mobilizing protests and revolutionary movements driven by heightened participation observed in some SSA countries. Social media platforms are increasingly perceived as avenues to express opinions on pertinent issues contesting unfavorable government actions. Thus, this study posits the emergence of a “New Democratisation in Sub-Saharan Africa,” propelled by the positive utilization of social media in political spheres.

1 Introduction

The media often referred to as the “Fourth Estate” plays a crucial role in serving as the public’s watchful guardian ( Mintz, 2016 ). This responsibility encompasses the dissemination of vital information to guide public discourse and action within the society along with alerting when important events occur, as emphasized by the American Government (2021) . Across various spheres of the society such as economy, science, education, health and politics, the media serves as a conduit between the government and the governed ensuring government accountability to the people.

The media in political matters need to stand neutral in order to place the needed pressure on the government when individuals clamor for change. However, within Sub-Saharan Africa, observations suggest a departure from this ideal, with media outlets both private and public, frequently exhibiting bias in political matters ( Chatora, 2012 ). Hence, there arises a need for a neutral platform where citizens can voice out against unpopular governmental policies or decisions, free from intermediary influence or government coercion.

Historically, there existed bureaucratic control in the media landscape limiting access to a select few powerful entities. However, the democratic-participant theory advocates for media pluralism, promoting unrestricted access and grassroots involvement. The advent of information technology has revolutionized communication channels, ushering in an era of social media platforms like Twitter , Facebook , Instagram , and WhatsApp. These platforms have permeated all aspects of societal engagement, contributed greatly in the daily lives of individuals ( Valkenburg, 2022 ), providing individuals with instantaneous avenues to share opinions and ideas ( Creevey et al., 2019 ) in real-time ( Ajaegbu et al., 2022 ).

The introduction of democracy in Sub-Saharan Africa approximately three decades ago, remains fragile ( Zamfir, 2021 ), with some democracies exhibiting autocratic tendencies. Zamfir (2021) explains that the progress of democracy in Sub-Saharan Africa between 1975 and 2018 is called the third wave of democratization. This democracy can be termed electoral democracy where the electorates have a right to choose the leaders in multi-party elections. Electoral democracy is characterized by rulers’ responsiveness to citizens, freedom of expression and an election free of fraud and systematic irregularities ( International Democracy Community, 2019 ).

Social media have been an enabling force driving positive change in democratic regimes ( Igbashangev et al., 2023 ). The emergence of social media has empowered citizens to exercise their right to freedom of expression, facilitating the rise of new and unpopular political actors, and enabling advocacy for favorable government policies or redress against unjust treatment. Some studies have been done in different clime on the impact of social media in politics. In a study situated in Jordan, the authors discovered that citizens engage in political debates on social media and there is a correlation between using social media and engaging in political activities like voting, attending political events and expressing views on political matters ( Alodat et al., 2023 ). In a similar survey study based in Cambodia, it was discovered that citizens rely on social media and it impacted their voting decision in the 2013 elections ( Sokhan, 2014 ). Likewise, Keith (2023) with the use of secondary data found out that while social media amplifies the speed of activism with orchestrating protests and mobilizing support for critical issues, this will be more successful when digital participation meets physical participation.

The power of social media activism has not gone unnoticed by authoritarian regimes, leading to attempts at regulation or outright censorship, as evidenced by Nigeria’s Twitter ban following the EndSARS protests of 2020. Nigeria has the highest number of internet users in Africa estimated at 103 million however, Southern Africa has the most internet penetration with 73.1% ( Statista, 2024b ). Though with the highest number of internet users, internet penetration in Nigeria is at 45.5% which is distant from Morocco with internet penetration of 91% ( Statista, 2024a ).

The influence of social media extends beyond activism to political campaigns seeking acceptance of a candidate. Such notable instances are the online presence established by United States presidential candidates Bob Dole and Bill Clinton in 1996 ( Jablonski, 2014 ). Subsequent years witnessed further integration of social media with Barack Obama leveraging social media for fund raising in 2008 and Donald Trump harnessing Twitter for increased popularity in 2018 ( Yildirim, 2020 ).

Beyond the United States, social media has left a mark on Africa politics with instances like a former Nigerian President’s use of Facebook to engage citizens; also civil society groups leveraging social media for election monitoring in Zambia ( Chatora, 2012 ). Also, in the 2023 Nigerian elections, candidates leveraged social media to gain public acceptance. The Labor Party (LP) presidential candidate gained heightened popularity using social media though not a member of the two major political parties in the country. This corroborates the assertion by Zamfir (2021) that social media can mobilize voters and give smaller political parties access to voters. By examining previous research on social media’s role in political campaigns within Sub-Saharan Africa, this study seeks to shed light on its potential to foster political participation, while also acknowledging the challenges that may constrain its efficacy within specific contexts ( Chatora, 2012 ). Thus, this research aims to elucidate scholars’ perspectives on social media’s impact on political campaigns in the Sub-Saharan African region.

2 Methodology

This study adopted a thematic analysis approach which entailed a review of texts related to the subject matter leading to identification of patterns and developing themes. The study utilized three data repositories- Google scholar, Ebscohost and Scopus databases - with a timeframe of 11 years (2012 till 2023). The choice of starting from 2012 is prompted by the role of social media in the 2011 general elections in Nigeria, where a former president leveraged these platforms for political engagement ( Madueke et al., 2017 ) marking a turning point in the region’s political landscape. The search focused on articles related to social media impact on politics in Sub-Saharan Africa, using search terms like ‘impact of social media on politics in Sub-Saharan Africa’, ‘new democratisation in Sub-Saharan Africa’, social media and politics in Sub-Saharan Africa’, and ‘social media and political activism in Sub-Saharan Africa.

A total of 50 articles were retrieved, with selections classified as similar, related and closely related. The screening process, conducted independently by the researchers, resulted in 21 closely related articles, comprising 42% of the total selected articles. The articles were then examined and classified under five distinct categories using themes from each article.

3 Social media in fostering protest/revolution

The first thematic category delves into the role of social media in fostering protests and revolutions, highlighting its potential to challenge entrenched power structures. It underscores platforms like Twitter , Facebook , and Blackberry messenger as instrumental in driving socio-political movements. Studies cited demonstrate how social media enables active citizen political engagement, although amidst challenges such as governmental distrust and attempts at regulation ( Chatora, 2012 ). The study further pointed out the context-specific challenge of social media as distrust of the media by some African governments such as Uganda, Zimbabwe, Angola and Cameroon thus, trying to deprive citizens of their freedom of expression hidden under the umbrella of regulation of political space.

Czerep (2018) acknowledging the transformative power of social media activism emphasized the need for credible information dissemination and its active participants need to be aware of the nature of what is being shared. The author then concluded that while organized counteractions are clearly needed to control the destructive impact of hate speech, spreading fear, social distrust and false information, the parallel efforts and goodwill of authorities, administrators, authors and social media users are needed thus, shutting down of internet which has become paramount among African leaders appears not to be the best solution.

Additional research shed light on the broader implications of cyber activism and political mobilization, framing them as catalysts for democratic evolution ( Ezeibe and Ogbodo, 2015 ; Mateos and Erro, 2020 ). Through content and discourse analysis, Ezeibe and Ogbodo (2015) established how well cyber activism and satellite communication have transformed lives and institutions through re-establishing the relationship between human and power. In a study of Senegal, Burkina Faso and Democratic Republic of the Congo, Mateos and Erro (2020) discovered that the use of social media for political activism is dubbed the third wave of democratization. They discovered that this process will not be short term to bring about regime changes and new policies but long-term where the results will crystallize into processes of bringing in a new democratic culture.

The positive impact of internet accessibility on protest participation, as observed by Guffard (2022) , underscores the growing influence of digital technologies in shaping political discourse. Conversely, Freyburg and Garbe (2018) opined that internet shutdown during electoral periods is a strategic manipulation of digital infrastructure by authoritarian African rulers through majority ownership structure. They add that election violence alone is insufficient to explain Internet shutdowns ordered by governments. Sebeelo (2020) highlights the transformative potential of digital technologies in political engagements in Sub-Saharan Africa exemplified by the organization of mass movements through social media hashtags. The study explained that these online protests pose significant threats to governments, prompting responses aimed at exerting control over digital spaces. On the other hand, despite different studies emphasizing the potential of social media in political engagement, Kamau (2016) in a study in Kenya discovered that though social media is a convenient platform to exchange ideas among youths, the level of civic participation is low implying a detachment and disengagement from political issues.

4 Leveraging social media for enhanced political participation and development

Some scholars have also considered the incorporation of the new media for enhanced political participation. Okoro (2018) explores the intersection of development communication and politics in sub-Saharan Africa. The author advocates for the integration of new media to foster democratic transformation with the current trend of political climate in Africa. The author further emphasizes the importance of incorporating mass media into national agenda to reinforce the effectiveness of politically informed and active citizenry, thereby promoting political and development communication. Again, the author pointed out that a non-supportive government can hinder effective contribution of mass media to development. Dzisah (2018) discusses the transformative potential of social media in political engagement, citing Ghana’s 2012 and 2016 multiparty democratic elections as case studies. The study demonstrates how platforms like Facebook and Twitter facilitated democratic discourse and increased citizen participation. Thus, their study demonstrated the strength of social media in enhancing political engagement.

Adeiza (2019) studied the utilization of social media in the political process of new democracies in Sub-Saharan Africa, with a focus on Ghana. The study reveals how political parties used platforms like Whatsapp, Facebook and Twitter to coordinate and mobilize voters and also raise funds during the elections. Also, the author through an observatory participation research method, reported some of the negative consequences of social media platform as campaign tool such as jeopardizing of one’s political career through posting of inappropriate platform comments. Also, the author further noted the specific limitation of the use of WhatApp during this Ghana election as the lack of total administrative controls and minimal analytic data which increases the risk of bad-faith actors compromising campaign integrity by sharing sensitive information with opponents.

Kalyango and Adu-Kimu (2013) examined the role of online media in political mobilization across East and West Africa. Their study revealed how youths in the selected countries leveraged social media for political mobilization, driving social change and political engagement.

5 Relationship between social media and political trust

Akinola et al. (2022) examined the impact of media use on corruption perception and the influence of the salience given to the issue by the mainstream and social media on political trust. Their findings suggest that social media plays a significant role in shaping perceptions of corruption and political trust, with negative perceptions of corruption leading to decreased political trust.

Van Teeffelen (2018) analyses the relationship between social media usage and political trust across sub-Saharan Africa. While the findings showed a negative correlation, it underscores the importance of contextual factors in shaping this relationship. Furthermore, Awinia (2021) studied party politics and elections in Tanzania and the influence social media has made in the process.

6 Harnessing social media for election monitoring and accountability

Sassetti (2019) argues for the use of crowdsourcing in election monitoring as a catalyst for democratic growth in sub-Saharan Africa. The study, focusing on Kenya, Nigeria and Ghana demonstrates how the integration of social media with ICT enhances civil society engagement and shapes political processes. The impact of social media on electoral process and monitoring in West Africa using multiple case studies of elections in Nigeria and Liberia in 2011 was studied by Smyth and Best (2013) . The study examined the broader media environment of the two countries, the social nature of election monitoring and the effect of social media on the perception of the election by the public of the two countries. The study suggests the potential of social media as an effective tool for election scrutiny in a coordinated civil society and its influence on public perception of the electoral process. Aduloju (2016) analysed youth socio-political networks on social media during Nigeria’s 2015 elections. The study reveals that the youths who are perceived as passive in politics became more politically conscious and engaged in both constructive and destructive arguments with politicians. Thus, social media transformed youth political engagement and discourse, thereby shaping the electoral process. However, the study also revealed several negative consequences of social media on political processes. The spread of misinformation was prevalent, often distorting public perception and influencing electoral outcomes unfairly. Cyber harassment emerged as a significant issue, with political figures and activists frequently facing threats and abuse online, deterring participation and silencing dissenting voices. Additionally, government surveillance and repression were critical concerns, as authoritarian regimes exploited social media to monitor and suppress political opponents and activists, creating a climate of fear that stifled political participation.

7 Social media as a catalyst for political change

Iwata (2015) posits that African political actors increasingly utilize social media as a means to engage with voters, enhance their political legitimacy, and exert influence. Their study adopted the concept of extraversion, reflecting the active involvement of political actors during critical junctures that could potentially bring about radical political changes in Africa. Their comparative analysis reveals a higher degree of social media activity in Anglophone African countries compared to Francophone countries. The study concludes that while social media’s impact on information liberalization may contribute to long-term democratization in African countries, immediate political reforms may encounter hurdles.

Alfakoro et al. (2021) examined the influence of social media on governance building in Nigeria, highlighting its potential to facilitate citizen participation and promote transparency in governance processes. Nganje and Nganje (2022) observe that despite lower internet connectivity rates in Sub-Saharan African compared to other regions, digitization has significantly enriched the conduct of politics, and political discourse particularly by amplifying the voices of marginalized groups such as youths.

Social media is being used by political parties especially the emerging ones to reach wider audiences and garner more support for their candidacy. On the flip side, there is hate speech, intimidation of political opponents and also government restrictions of the social media. In summary, this study examined social media role in political participation across Sub-Saharan Africa, providing useful perspectives on how it may influence democratization and governance in the region.

In summary, the reviews highlighted several methodological strengths, including comprehensive thematic analysis, diverse case studies, balanced discussion of impacts and an interdisciplinary approach. However, the reviewed studies reviewed potential bias in case selection, limited longitudinal data, underexplored technological issues, reliance on secondary data and challenges with generalizability.

8 Conclusion

This study offers a review of literature on social media’s role in the political process within Sub-Saharan Africa over the past 11 years. The findings are organized thematically to elucidate social media’s impact on political participation and governance in the region.

The study hence concludes with the following assertions:

• The use of social media in political activities is becoming ubiquitous, signaling a new phase of democratisation in Sub-Saharan Africa. This is however still evolving as the social media has been used by some African countries in fostering revolution and protests though repressive governments stand as impediment.

• The total control of the internet and social media platforms by political elites and repressive governments in Sub-Saharan Africa poses a significant obstacle to citizens’ exercise of their democratic rights.

• While social media platforms are increasingly preferred by young people for political engagement, political parties’ utilization of these platforms for campaigning is still evolving and faces challenges such as misuse for defamation and hate speech.

• Social media in political participation demonstrates greater strength when used to facilitate citizen-driven political change and revolution within Sub-Saharan Africa.

• Corrupt political actors perceive social media as a threat due to its potential to expose their wrongdoings beyond national borders.

Also on the same note, some negative impacts of the use of social media for political campaigns as deduced from the literature are summarized as:

• Jeopardizing of one’s political career through posting of inappropriate WhatsApp platform comments and lack of total administrative controls and minimal analytic data, which increases the risk of bad-faith actors compromising campaign integrity by sharing sensitive information with opponents.

• Experiences of cyber harassment, spread of misinformation, government surveillance and repression as noted by Aduloju (2016) and Ajaegbu et al. (2022) .

• Social media as a catalyzer for inciting xenophobic feelings, dehumanizing, mobilizing of hate speech.

• Dominance of political emotions over merits.

• Political discourse becoming fragmented with coherent universal political narratives being replaced by self-contradictory messages tailored for specific segments of the electorate.

• Enables the creation of multiple truths as people freely discuss corrupt behavior among government officials and other politicians, leading to diverse and inconsistent public agenda.

• High exposure to political corruptions on social media undermines political trust ( Akinola et al., 2022 ).

• It can also lead to misinformation as social media does not follow journalistic rules of vetting news hence manipulation of public opinion ( Saaida and Alhouseini, 2023 ).

Therefore, it is important to note that the use of social media as a platform for political mobilization for civil society will continue to deepen the participatory principle among individuals in forging a new democracy within Sub-Saharan Africa. Irrespective of the some digital divide being experienced within Sub-Saharan Affrica such as low internet penetration rates, literacy level, socio-economic disparities, it is imperative to harness the potential of social media for political mobilization and civil society engagement while promoting responsible usage to prevent reputational harm. It is crucial to note that while social media engagement on political issues may foster awareness and discourse, its direct impact on actual political participation remains a subject requiring further empirical investigation.

Theoretically, the findings underscore the transformative potential of digital technologies in facilitating grassroots participation, amplifying marginalized voices and contesting entrenched power structures. This aligns with the principles of the democratic-participant media theory, which advocates for media pluralism and decentralized access to communication channels. The study offers empirical support to theories linking digital activism and political change validating that social media can serve as a catalyst for democratic evolution and regime transitions in Sub-Saharan Africa On the contribution of the study to practice, the review offers insights for policymakers, civil society groups and political actors seeking to leverage digital platforms for civic engagement and other reform efforts.

Author contributions

OA: Writing – review & editing, Writing – original draft. CA: Writing – original draft.

The author(s) declare that no financial support was received for the research, authorship, and/or publication of this article.

Conflict of interest

The authors declare that the research was conducted in the absence of any commercial or financial relationships that could be construed as a potential conflict of interest.

Publisher’s note

All claims expressed in this article are solely those of the authors and do not necessarily represent those of their affiliated organizations, or those of the publisher, the editors and the reviewers. Any product that may be evaluated in this article, or claim that may be made by its manufacturer, is not guaranteed or endorsed by the publisher.

Adeiza, M. O. (2019). Digital media and presidential campaigning in sub-Saharan Africa: A study of the 2016 election in Ghana. Available at: https://digital.lib.washington.edu/researchworks/bitstream/handle/1773/43655/Adeiza_washington_0250E_19656.pdf?sequence=1&isAllowed=y .

Google Scholar

Aduloju, A. A. (2016). Youth networks on Facebook and twitter during the 2015 general elections in Nigeria. J. Afric. Elec. 15, 28–49. doi: 10.20940/JAE/2016/v15i2a2

Crossref Full Text | Google Scholar

Ajaegbu, O. O., Ajaegbu, C., and Quilling, R. (2022). Nigeria EndSARS protest: false information mitigation hybrid model. Ingénierie des Systèmes d’Information 27, 447–455. doi: 10.18280/isi.270311

Akinola, O. A., Omar, B., and Mustapha, L. K. (2022). Corruption in the limelight: the relative influence of traditional mainstream and social media on political trust in Nigeria. Int. J. Commun. 16, 1460–1481.

Alfakoro, A. S. Y., Ismaila, Y. A., and Ayodeji, A. H. (2021). Social media and its impact on governance building in Africa: the Nigeria scenario. Arab. J. Bus. Manage. Rev. 11, 416. doi: 10.37421/2223-5833.2021.11.416

Alodat, A. M., al-Qora’n, L. F., and Abu Hamoud, M. (2023). Social media platforms and political participation: a study of Jordanian youth engagement. Soc. Sci. 12:402. doi: 10.3390/socsci12070402

American Government (2021). The Impact of the media. Available at: https://courses.lumenlearning.com/atd-monroecc-americangovernment/chapter/the-impact-of-the-media/ .

Awinia, C. S. (2021). Social media penetration, party politics and elections in Tanzania - emerging practices and challenges. J. Afric. Elec. 20, 159–185. doi: 10.20940/JAE/2021/v20i1a8

Chatora, A. (2012). Encouraging political participation in Africa: The potential of social media platforms. Available at: https:// issafrica.s3.amazonaws.com/site/uploads/SitRep2012_15Mar.pdf .

Creevey, D., Coughlan, J., and O’Connor, C. (2019). Social media and luxury: a systematic literature review. Int. J. Manag. Rev. 24, 99–129. doi: 10.1111/ijmr.12271

Czerep, J. (2018). Social media dynamics as a new factor in African politics. Hung. J. Afric. Stud. 12, 160–170. doi: 10.15170/AT.2018.12.4.13

Dzisah, W. S. (2018). Social media and elections in Ghana: enhancing democratic participation. Afric. J. Stud. 39, 27–47. doi: 10.1080/23743670.2018.1452774

Ezeibe, C. C., and Ogbodo, S. (2015). Social media and political revolution in the Middle East: lessons for the seat-tight political leaders in sub-Saharan Africa. New Media Mass Commun. 40, 112–123.

Freyburg, T., and Garbe, L. (2018). Blocking the bottleneck: internet shutdowns and ownership at election times in sub-Saharan Africa. Int. J. Commun. 12, 3896–3916.

Guffard, J. . (2022). Liberation technology? The impact of broadband internet on mass mobilization in sub-Saharan Africa. 31st European regional ITS conference, Gothenburg 2022: reining in digital platforms? Challenging monopolies, promoting competition and developing regulatory regimes 265632

Igbashangev, P. A., Abdullahi, S. H., Basil, A. T., Gbasha, C. T., Meshach, U. T., and Terhide, H. B. (2023). Social media as a tool for the advancement of democracy and good governance in Nigeria. SSRN Electron. J. doi: 10.2139/ssrn.4513869

International Democracy Community (2019). Varieties of Democracy. Available at: https://www.democracy.community/stories/varieties-democracy

Iwata, T. (2015). Social media practices during the political change in sub-Saharan Africa. Ritsumeikan Annual Review of International Studies 14, 47–72.

Jablonski, M. (2014). Social media in the 2004 election. Available at: https://cphcmp.smu.edu/2004election/social-media/ .

Kalyango, Y., and Adu-Kimu, B. (2013). Impact of social media on political mobilization in east and West Africa. Available at: https://www.globalmediajournal.com/open-access/impact-of-social-media-on-political-mobilization-in-east-and-west-africa.pdf .

Kamau, S. C. (2016). Engaged online: social media and youth civic engagement in Kenya. Digit. Activ. Soc. Media Era , 115–140. doi: 10.1007/978-3-319-40949-8_6

Keith, D. (2023). The impact of social media on political activism. Int. J. Human. Soc. Sci. 1, 16–29. doi: 10.47941/ijhss.1429

Madueke, O., Nwosu, C., Ogbonnaya, C., Anumadu, A., and Okeke, V. O. S. (2017). The role of social media in enhancing political participation in Nigeria. IDOSR J. Arts Manage. 2, 44–54.

Mateos, O., and Erro, C. B. (2020). Protest, internet activism, and sociopolitical change in sub-Saharan Africa. Am. Behav. Sci. 65, 650–665. doi: 10.1177/0002764220975060

Mintz, S. (2016). The role of the media in politics. Available at: https://www.ethicssage.com/2016/10/the-role-of-the-media-in-politics.html .

Nganje, F., and Nganje, K. (2022). Politicking in the digital age: separating the hype from reality . Jo’burg, South Africa: Electoral Institute for Sustainable Democracy in Africa, 4.

Okoro, E. (2018). Development communication and politics in sub-Saharan Africa: analyzing Media’s impact on governance and political participation. Int. J. Lang. Lit. 6. doi: 10.15640/ijll.v6n2a19

Saaida, M. B. E., and Alhouseini, M. A. M. (2023). The influence of social media on contemporary global politics. Int. J. Res. Anal. Rev. 10, 799–809.

Sassetti, F. (2019). Social media and crowdsourced election monitoring: prospects for election transparency in sub-Saharan Africa. IAPSS J. Politic. Sci. 42, 7–39. doi: 10.22151/politikon.42.1

Sebeelo, T. B. (2020). Hashtag activism, politics and resistance in Africa: examining #ThisFlag and #RhodesMustFall online movements. Insight Africa 13, 95–109. doi: 10.1177/0975087820971514

Smyth, T. N., and Best, M. L. (2013). Tweet to Trust: Social Media and Elections in West Africa . Proceedings of the Sixth International Conference on Information and Communication Technologies and Development: Full Papers. 1, 133–141. doi: 10.1145/2516604.2516617

Sokhan, S. (2014). Social media and its political impact: A case study of Cambodia 2013 election. Available at: https://www.diva-portal.org/smash/get/diva2:860507/FULLTEXT02.pdf .

Statista (2024a). Share of internet users in Africa as of January 2024, by country. Available at: https://www.statista.com/statistics/1124283/internet-penetration-in-africa-by-country/ .

Statista (2024b). Number of internet users in Africa as of January 2024, by country (in millions). Available at: https://www.statista.com/statistics/505883/number-of-internet-users-in-african-countries/ .

Valkenburg, P. M. (2022). Social media use and well-being: what we know and what we need to know. Elsevier 45:101294. doi: 10.1016/j.copsyc.2021.12.006

Van Teeffelen, R.L (2018). Towards an African spring? Exploring the relationship between social media and political trust in sub-saharan Africa. Available at: https://theses.ubn.ru.nl/items/00d36df9-ffee-4c7c-8a5b-c979bfeb5288 .

Yildirim, W. P. (2020). How social media is shaping political campaigns. Available at: https://knowledge.wharton.upenn.edu/podcast/knowledge-at-wharton-podcast/how-social-media-is-shaping-political-campaigns/ .

Zamfir, L. (2021). State of democracy in sub-Saharan Africa: democratic progress at risk. Available at: https://www.europarl.europa.eu/RegData/etudes/BRIE/2021/690647/EPRS_BRI(2021)690647_EN.pdf .

Keywords: social media, Sub-Saharan Africa, political process, democratisation, political protest

Citation: Ajaegbu OO and Ajaegbu C (2024) The new democratisation: social media impact on the political process in Sub-Saharan Africa. Front. Commun . 9:1394949. doi: 10.3389/fcomm.2024.1394949

Received: 02 March 2024; Accepted: 17 June 2024; Published: 10 July 2024.

Reviewed by:

Copyright © 2024 Ajaegbu and Ajaegbu. This is an open-access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (CC BY) . The use, distribution or reproduction in other forums is permitted, provided the original author(s) and the copyright owner(s) are credited and that the original publication in this journal is cited, in accordance with accepted academic practice. No use, distribution or reproduction is permitted which does not comply with these terms.

*Correspondence: Chigozirim Ajaegbu, [email protected]

Disclaimer: All claims expressed in this article are solely those of the authors and do not necessarily represent those of their affiliated organizations, or those of the publisher, the editors and the reviewers. Any product that may be evaluated in this article or claim that may be made by its manufacturer is not guaranteed or endorsed by the publisher.

an image, when javascript is unavailable

The Definitive Voice of Entertainment News

Subscribe for full access to The Hollywood Reporter

site categories

Donald trump slams george clooney over his biden op-ed: “get out of politics”.

Trump has responded to Clooney calling for Biden to drop out of the race by attacking the actor's political participation and his career, while 'The View' hosts are also weighing in.

By James Hibberd

James Hibberd

Writer-at-Large

Share on Facebook
Share to Flipboard
Send an Email
Show additional share options
Share on LinkedIn
Share on Pinterest
Share on Reddit
Share on Tumblr
Share on Whats App
Print the Article
Post a Comment

You know Joe Biden is in trouble when Donald Trump is attacking his critics.

Trump is speaking out about George Clooney ‘s devastating New York Times op-ed which called on Biden to drop out of the presidential election — by criticizing Clooney.

THR Newsletters

More from The Hollywood Reporter

Serena williams, venus williams, quinta brunson seemingly call out pat mcafee for caitlin clark comments at 2024 espys, in alec baldwin trial, fireworks over undisclosed evidence and the source of a deadly bullet, kevin hart sued for botching apology meant to vindicate ex-friend in sex tape scandal, red hot chili peppers’ former guitarist sued by daughter of man he allegedly struck with suv, kid cudi shares update on coachella injury: “first time walking in four months”, jon bon jovi mourns mom carol bongiovi.

Read The Diplomat , Know The Asia-Pacific

Central Asia
Southeast Asia
Environment
Asia Defense
China Power
Crossroads Asia
Flashpoints
Pacific Money
Tokyo Report
Trans-Pacific View

Photo Essays

Write for Us
Subscriptions

Jemaah Islamiyah Says It Has Disbanded. Should We Believe It?

Recent features.

Pakistan’s New Military Operation Alarms Pashtuns

Bangladeshi University Students Protest Quota System Reforms

What’s in Hong Kong’s Proposed Critical Infrastructure Bill?

Why the Panchen Lama Matters

The Problem With POGOs

Why the Himalayan Region Is Integral to a Rules-Based Order in the Indo-Pacific

Engagement With China Has Had a Multifaceted Impact on Latin American Democracy

Bloggers in the Crosshairs: The Complex Reality of Media Freedom in Uzbekistan

SCO Expansion: A Double-Edged Sword

Shattering Silence: Pakistan’s Journey Against Gender-Based Violence

Japan’s Enhanced Security Engagement With the Pacific Islands

Migrant Workers Pay Sky-high Fees to Expand Taiwan’s Biggest Airport

Asean beat | security | southeast asia.

Late last month, 16 senior JI figures announced the group’s dissolution, and said they were “ready to actively contribute to Indonesia’s progress and dignity.”

Jemaah Islamiyah Says It Has Disbanded. Should We Believe It?

Police escort Usman bin Sef, also known as Fahim, a convicted leader of al-Qaida-linked Jemaah Islamiyah extremist group in East Java province, upon arrival at the Soekarno-Hatta International Airport in Tangerang, Indonesia, Thursday, March 18, 2021.

Shocking news has arrived that the Indonesian hardline Islamist group Jemaah Islamiyah (JI), once one of the most feared terrorist presences in Southeast Asia, is to disband.

The announcement came in a video released on June 30 featuring 16 senior JI figures who stated that the group would be formally dissolved. They also pledged their allegiance to the Indonesian state.

In a prepared statement, Abu Rusdan, a senior leader of the group, said that JI now stands “ready to actively contribute to Indonesia’s progress and dignity.”

The Institute for Policy Analysis of Conflict (IPAC) confirmed the authenticity of the video. Sidney Jones of IPAC said that it was “too early to say what the consequences are, but the men who signed the statement have enough respect and credibility within the organization to ensure widespread acceptance.”

JI was founded in 1993 by Indonesian clerics Abu Bakar Bashir and Abdullah Sungkar and was most prevalent in the early to mid-2000s, when the group, which had received training and funding in Afghanistan, committed a number of deadly attacks in Indonesia.

These included the Christmas Eve church bombings of 2000 that left 18 people dead, the 2002 Bali Bombing which killed 202 people and injured over 200 more, and the JW Marriott Hotel attack in Jakarta in 2003 that killed 12.

Yet talk of JI disbanding is somewhat contradictory, as the group previously “disbanded” in the wake of the Bali bombing of 2002, following which members splintered over differing opinions of whether it was acceptable to attack civilians and over wider leadership issues.

In the days that followed the October 2002 attack, JI was also added to U.N. Security Council Resolution 1267, which designated Osama bin Laden and any associates as terrorists, and placed sanctions on individuals and entities associated with Al Qaeda, Bin Laden, and the Taliban.

JI was then also outlawed by the Indonesian government in 2007.

Yet JI has continued to exist covertly in the years since the Bali bombing, despite the Indonesian government’s prohibition against it, turning its attention to its network of Islamic boarding schools ( pesantren ) and on dakwah , or proselytization.

JI members also continue to live all over Indonesia and beyond, including in Syria and Yemen.

For years, analysts and the Indonesian authorities have warned that JI has continued to raise funds for terrorist attacks and has carried out military and weapons training for members. JI suspects have been arrested periodically on suspicion of continuing to plot attacks across the country.

But the facts also speak for themselves. JI has not carried out a violent attack in Indonesia since 2009.

Is this because of the commendable counterterrorism operations of the Indonesian authorities? Or does it demonstrate that the group has indeed morphed from a once violent entity focused on establishing a Muslim caliphate across Southeast Asia to a different kind of organization with a mostly aging membership?

Probably, it is a little of both, coupled with the directionless and fractured leadership that has plagued the group since the Bali bombing.

Yet JI is much larger and more complex than simply a “terrorist organization” focused on planning and carrying out acts of violence – a narrow parameter usually assigned to radical groups to assess their ongoing threat.

Instead, it is a network of individuals with a shared history, who continue in many cases to live, work, and raise families together all across the country, and who have also created a significant infrastructure to support themselves. This includes myriad businesses run by JI members, the aforementioned network of Islamic boarding schools, legal aid groups, and shared housing – to name just a few.

Members also regularly hold social events and meetings, and travel across the country to visit each other.

As one JI member told The Diplomat, “When we see each other, it is like a high school reunion, but we are all former members of JI.”

As such, the organization is likely to be a nebulous entity to dismantle, despite the assurances of its senior figures that this is what they intend to do.

Does it mean that these individuals will never see each other again? Or just that they will refrain from plotting acts of violence in the future, something they have not done since 2009 anyway?

What will happen to the schools, businesses and communities they have built? Presumably, these will continue, but no longer under the banner of “JI,” which was already a banned organization anyway.

Given the complex social structures embedded in extremist organizations like this and which serve to glue them together, can JI ever truly disband or be disbanded?

Is Abu Bakar Bashir Really Walking Away From Violent Extremism?

By bilveer singh.

Indonesian Militant Gets 15 Years in Prison Over Bali Attacks

By niniek karmini.

Indonesian Prosecutors Seek Life for Bali Bombing Suspect

How Are Indonesia’s Terrorist Groups Weathering the Pandemic?

By zachary abuza and alif satria.

Why is India’s Hindu Right Pro-Israel?

By akhilesh pillalamarri.

Rohingya Refugees in Bangladesh Pressured to Join Myanmar’s Civil War

By dayna santana pérez.

Philippines Has ‘Secretly Reinforced’ South China Sea Outpost, Report Claims

By sebastian strangio.

China and the Philippines Inch Closer to Conflict in the South China Sea

By Osama Ahmad

By Charles Mok

By Antonio Terrone

By Felix Iglesias

Share full article

Supported by

Guest Essay

Trump 2025 Is Coming Into View

Donald Trump gestures while making a point at a rally in Pennsylvania.

By Thomas B. Edsall

Mr. Edsall contributes a weekly column from Washington, D.C., on politics, demographics and inequality.

The combination of recent Supreme Court rulings on presidential power and the Democratic Party’s nomination crisis in the wake of Joe Biden’s disastrous debate performance has significantly improved Donald Trump’s prospects — not only his odds of once again becoming president, but also of enacting a sweeping authoritarian agenda.

Trump’s debt to the six-member conservative majority on the Supreme Court is twofold.

First, their delay. By waiting until the last day of the court’s term to issue their decision on Trump’s immunity claims, the justices effectively prevented prosecution of federal criminal charges against him before the election.

“By shielding Donald Trump from standing trial before a jury in two of his felony cases,” Michael Podhorzer , a former political director of the A.F.L.-C.I.O., writes in a post on his Substack, Tipping the Scales , “Trump’s three appointments to the Supreme Court, along with the even more MAGA Justices Alito and Thomas and Judge Aileen Cannon, have already irreparably interfered in the 2024 election.”

Second, the substance of the July 1 ruling in Trump v. United States has convinced Trump and his allies that they will face few legal obstacles if they pursue a radical reconstruction of government — a “second American Revolution,” in the words of one loyalist — if Trump regains the White House on Nov. 5.

“In a sweeping decision that constitutionalizes the modern reality of the imperial presidency, the U.S. Supreme Court has established near-total criminal immunity for Donald Trump’s official acts while he was president,” Noah Feldman , a law professor at Harvard, writes in a July 2 Bloomberg column, “ Emperor Trump ?”

“The Supreme Court has gutted the historic effort to hold Donald Trump legally accountable for his efforts to overturn the 2020 election,” Feldman goes on to say, pointing out:

A president tried to break our democracy by overturning the results of an election that he lost, and the Supreme Court has responded by protecting him from criminal prosecution. Our founders would be horrified. The Caesars would nod in approval.

At the same time, Trump’s main political adversary, the Democratic Party, is enmeshed in a grim struggle over whether Biden has the cognitive ability to be president for another four years or whether he should withdraw from the race.

We are having trouble retrieving the article content.

Please enable JavaScript in your browser settings.

Thank you for your patience while we verify access. If you are in Reader mode please exit and log into your Times account, or subscribe for all of The Times.

Thank you for your patience while we verify access.

Already a subscriber? Log in .

Want all of The Times? Subscribe .

IMAGES

Role Of Media In Democracy
Essay on Role of Media in Democracy || Role of Media in Democracy || Role of Media #upsc #upscessay
Role of Media in a Democracy Essay in English|| The Importance of Media in Democracy
Essay
Role of Media || Role of Media in Society/Democracy || Role of Media essay in English
Role of Media in Democracy

VIDEO

essay on democracy in english/democracy essay/essay on democracy
Road to democracy Essay, History grade 12
ESSAY (DEMOCRACY)/80 WPM/516 WORDS
MM5
Role of Media in a Democracy Essay in English|| The Importance of Media in Democracy
66. Role of Media in Democracy

COMMENTS

PDF The Role of The Media in Democracies: What Is It, and Why Does It ...
ts responsibility for accuracy and the tone of public debate.BackgroundIn a democracy, the media educates, informs and e. tertains - including through news, opinion, analysis, satire and drama. It is a key route through which the public hears about politics, and it plays. n important role in shaping the public agenda and forming public ...
Essay on Role of Media in Democracy
High-quality essay on the topic of "Role of Media in Democracy" for students in schools and colleges.
Role of media in a democracy: [Essay Example], 686 words
An arrangement of government in which every one of the general population of a nation can vote to choose their delegates. Media appeared in 1780 with the presentation of a daily paper, in particular, The Bengal Gazette and from that point forward it has developed a long way. It has been assuming an imperative part in moulding human personalities.
Roles and Functions of Media in a Democratic Society
The roles and functions of media within a democratic society are of paramount importance, serving as a cornerstone of informed citizenry, accountability, and the safeguarding of democratic values. Media plays a pivotal role in shaping public discourse, facilitating transparency, and ensuring that the voices of citizens are heard. This essay delves into the various roles that media fulfills in ...
The Essential Role of Media in Democracy- 6 Key Points
Here are the 6 key points that cover the essential role of media in democracy. 1. Informing Citizens. the role of media in democracy is to inform the public about current affairs, governmental initiatives, and other matters that have an impact on society. The public and the government are connected through the media.
Role Of Media In Democracy (Essay Sample)
A media democracy is one which uses information technology to both liberate citizens and promote democratic ideology through the distribution of information. This essay seeks to describe media and its roles in democracy.
THE MEDIA AND DEMOCRACY: Beyond Myths and Stereotypes
Abstract This essay's point of departure is the hallowed belief that democracy requires active citizens and news media that supply them with information they need to participate effectively in politics. The main features of this model of a functioning democracy, including the underlying assumptions, are tested and found wanting. Neither citizens nor media are capable of performing the ...
(Essay) An Essay: Role of media in a democracy
Role of media 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 activities happening around the world. It is like a mirror, which shows us or strives to show us the bare truth and harsh realities of life. The media has undoubtedly evolved and become more active over the years. It is the ...
The Role of the Media in a Democracy
Preview text The media plays a vital role in any democratic society, acting as a watchdog over those in power and ensuring that the public has access to the information it needs to make informed decisions. This essay will explore the role of the media in a democracy, focusing on its ability to inform the public, serve as a check on power, and promote accountability and transparency.
PDF The Role of The Media in Deepening Democracy
The media's key role in democratic governance has been recognized since the late 17th century, and remains a fundamental principle of modern-day democratic theory and practice. This paper examines the complex and multi-dimensional linkages among the media, democracy, good governance and peaceful development.
Role of Media: Influence, Power, and, Democratic Discourses!
Media, the fourth pillar of democracy, plays a crucial role in shaping our society. It is a powerful tool that can be used to inform, educate, and entertain the public. It can also be used to raise awareness of important social and political issues and to hold those in power accountable. The role of media in public administration and other ...
Role of the Media
The media are assumed to play a key role in democratization. Much of the available evidence on the media's role in democratic transitions is based on a comparative and global perspective, focusing ...
PDF The Functions of the Media for Democracy
3.1 The role of the media in contemporary democracy according to normative theories Throughout its existence - from the ancient Greek philosophers to political thought of the 21st century - democracy theory has produced a large variety of different traditions or conceptions of democracy (see Held 2006; Schmidt 2010).
The Role of Media in Democracy: Navigating Information and
Table of contents The role of media in democracy is pivotal, serving as a cornerstone of informed citizenship and accountable governance. In democratic societies, media plays a multifaceted role — informing the public, scrutinizing those in power, and fostering open discourse. This essay will delve into the intricate dimensions of the media's role in democracy — its function as a watchdog ...
PDF The Role and Importance of Media in Indian Democracy
Key Words: media, evolution, constitutional status, globalization, impact in politics, conclusion. Introduction Democracy is generally defined as the government of the people by the people and for the people. Freedom and democracy work together. Indian society recognizes democracy where the media plays a leading role in Indian democracy.
Essay On Role Of Media In Democracy
Essay On Role Of Media In Democracy. Media is the backbone of democracy. The role of media in our society is very significant. Media supply the political information to the viewers that help them to make their opinion. Media also plays the watchdog role in society to identify the problems and wrongdoing of those who have the authority.
PDF The role of the media in a democracy: Unravelling the politics between
The role of the media in a democracy: Unravelling the politics between the media, the state and the ANC in South Africa. ... presented papers, and debated issues related to media and democracy in a most robust and stimulating manner in 2009. The group consisted of Anton Harber, Jane Duncan, Nathalie Hyde-Clark, Lesley Cowling, Franz Kruger ...
The role of the Media in a Democracy
The media is the fourth pillar of democracy after the executive, the legislature and the judiciary. Media as control over the three pillars and underpin their performance with checks and balances. to be able to perform its role should be upheld the freedom of the press in conveying public information in an honest and balanced manner. besides that also to uphold this fourth pillar, the media ...
100, 200, 250, 300 & 400 Word Essay on The Role of the Media in a
In conclusion, the media plays an integral role in a democratic society. It acts as a guardian of democracy, ensuring transparency, accountability, and freedom of speech. It serves as a crucial link between the government and the citizens, promoting informed decision-making and facilitating public discourse. In today's rapidly changing world ...
ROLE OF MEDIA IN A DEMOCRACY
The role of the media in democracy differs from context to context. In this sense, the role of the media in a democracy depends on the type of democracy within which that media operates. The most important role of the media in a democracy is not only to protect the views and interests of the public; it is also to prevent tyranny of the majority ...
⇉Role Of Media In a Democracy Essay Example
The media plays a crucial role in fostering a strong democracy, serving as its bedrock. Its primary responsibility is to keep the public well-informed about global social, political, and economic happenings.
Biased Media is a Real Threat to Indian Democracy
Biased media poses a grave threat to Indian democracy by undermining the principles of transparency, accountability, and pluralism. Its sensationalism, misinformation, and propaganda have the potential to subvert democratic processes and foster social division. Therefore, it is imperative to address the root causes of biased media and implement ...
Essay
ESSAY - ROLE OF MEDIA IN THE INDIAN DEMOCRACY According to renowned British philosopher Edmund Burke, "Media is considered and regarded as the fourth estate of philosophy." [1]. (Kumar & Singh, n.) Furthermore, the various media domains contribute significantly to debates and discussions on timely topics.
Frontiers
On the flip side, there is hate speech, intimidation of political opponents and also government restrictions of the social media. In summary, this study examined social media role in political participation across Sub-Saharan Africa, providing useful perspectives on how it may influence democratization and governance in the region.
Now Donald Trump Is Slamming George Clooney
Trump has responded to Clooney calling for Biden to drop out of the race by attacking the actor's political participation and his career, while 'The View' hosts are also weighing in.
Jemaah Islamiyah Says It Has Disbanded. Should We Believe It?
Photo Essays Bangladeshi University Students Protest Quota System Reforms ... Engagement With China Has Had a Multifaceted Impact on Latin American Democracy. ... The Complex Reality of Media ...
Opinion
In the case of the former president, it is far more dangerous to underestimate than to overestimate his capacity to wreak havoc.
July 10, 2024, presidential debate and election news
Many anxious Democrats waiting to see what happens to President Joe Biden's reelection campaign have been stunned by developments over the past 24 hours.

Essay on Role of Media in Democracy

100 Words Essay on Role of Media in Democracy

Media as an Informer

Media and Transparency

Media and Participation

250 Words Essay on Role of Media in Democracy

Media as a Watchdog

Media as a Platform for Dialogue

The Role of Media in Elections

Challenges and Conclusion

500 Words Essay on Role of Media in Democracy

Media as a Platform for Debate and Discussion

Media and Voter Awareness

Challenges and the Way Forward

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

The Essential Role of Media in Democracy- 6 Key Points

Role of Media in Democracy

1. Informing Citizens

2. Media as a Watchdog

3. Promoting Political Participation

4. Providing a Platform for Diverse Voices

5. Educating Citizens

6. Fostering Public Discourse

Challenges and Responsibilities of Media

Challenges Faced by the Media in Democracy

Responsibilities of Media in Democratic Society

Leave a Comment Cancel reply

Role Of Media In Democracy (Essay Sample)

Annual Review of Political Science

Most Read This Month

Online Option

(Essay) An Essay: Role of media in a democracy

Role of media

Impact of media

The Functions of the Media for Democracy

Access this chapter

Similar content being viewed by others

Mediatization at the Structural Level: Independence from Politics, Dependence on the Market

How the Media Systems Work in Central and Eastern Europe

Media Accountability in a Non-democratic Context: Conceptual Challenges and Adaptations

Copyright information

About this chapter

Download citation

Share this chapter

The Role of Media in Democracy: Navigating Information and Accountability

Cite this Essay

Related Essays

100, 200, 250, 300 & 400 Word Essay on The Role of the Media in a Democratic Society

The Role of the Media in a Democratic Society 100-Word Essay

The Role of the Media in a Democratic Society 200-Word Essay

The Role of the Media in a Democratic Society 250-Word Essay

The Role of the Media in a Democratic Society 300-Word Essay

Informing citizens

Fostering Public Debate

Holding Power Accountable

The Role of the Media in a Democratic Society 400-Word Essay

Leave a Comment Cancel reply

ROLE OF MEDIA IN A DEMOCRACY

Related Papers

RELATED PAPERS

Sample details

Related Topics

Role Of Media In a Democracy

Cite this page

Check more samples on your topics

What is the role of political parties in a democracy

Discuss the importance of media convergence in the new media age

Print Media Evolution: The trend affected by media technologies

Is Print Media Replaced by Electronic Media?

Media Literacy Essay: Media Effects on Individuals & Society Prompt

How does your opinion transfer to media coverage? How does the media affect you as a voter?

An Analysis of the Contrasting Ideas that Media is Overtly and Inferentially Racist and the Outsiders in Media Produced for Minority Groups

The Impact of Violent Media on Children Today Depicted in Whodunit-The Media, an Essay by Maggie Cutler

Achievers Corner

Mains & Interview

Current Affairs

Drishti Specials

Study Material

Test Series

Biased Media is a Real Threat to Indian Democracy