Lesson 6: The Role of Media in Democracy

Lesson 6: The Role of Media in Democracy

• Media plays a significant role in informing, educating, and influencing public opinion in democracies.
• Media provides a platform to convey events, news, and information about the country.
• Media includes print media (newspapers, magazines, journals) and audio-visual media (TV, radio, internet).
• Social media (Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, YouTube) are also a part of the media landscape.
• Media is vital for holding power accountable through reporting on actions of those in power.
• Citizens have the right to know about government policies and express opinions.
• Public opinion is the collective views of the people, influencing government decisions.
• The media plays a critical role in expressing public opinion and influencing government actions.
• Media can spread patriotic feelings during times of national importance like freedom struggles.
• The media can influence public opinion by highlighting issues like the price of petrol or injustices impacting citizens.
• Media's role in shaping public opinion is crucial to the functioning of a democracy
• Print media (newspapers, magazines) plays a critical role in spreading awareness and shaping public opinion.
• Electronic media (TV, radio, internet) has a wider reach and helps reach illiterate and larger audiences.

Defining Media

• Media is a plural form of the word 'medium.'
• Media refers to the various means of communication in society.
• Media includes newspapers, journals, tabloids, books, TV, radio, internet and cinema.

Mass Media

• Mass media refers to technologies for reaching a vast audience.
• Examples include television, radio, newspapers, and podcasts.
• Mass media is typically one-to-many communication.
• Mass media wield considerable power in transmitting messages to large audiences.
• Feedback from consumers is often not immediate and high quality.
• Modern forms of digital mass media such as websites collect responses fast and are efficient.

Public Opinion

• Public opinion is a collective view of a community on a specific issue at a particular time.
• Public opinion is measured by polls and surveys.
• Important factors in public opinion formation include the news provided by media and citizens expressing discontent.
• Media plays a part in influencing public opinion.

Media's Role During Freedom Struggle

• Print media played a pivotal role in spreading patriotic feelings during the freedom struggle.
• Leading nationalists used newspapers to highlight injustice.
• Media's reach aided in spreading nationalist ideals.

Media and Technology

• Media technology changes rapidly, affecting form and methods.
• There are various types of media based on the tech used.
• Print media is older than audio-visual media, and its reach is more limited than electronic media.
• Electronic media offers speedier and larger reach.
• The technology impacts communication style and reach.

Role of Media in Democracy

• Media play an important role in holding those in authority accountable.
• Media should reflect various viewpoints to provide credible information.
• Media's role in democratic systems includes spreading awareness and shaping public opinion.
• Media's primary role is to inform, educate and entertain the public.
• Media should be free of bias.