Give your understanding of the role of media in a democratic society
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Answer:
Democracy is not only a form of government but also a way of life. Defined by Abraham Lincoln as the government of people, for the people and by the people, it is a system in which the sovereignty lies in the hands of the people as their elected representatives’ rule and run the country. Articles 19-22 of our Constitution give to the citizens the Right to Freedom as one of the Fundamental Rights.
The right to freedom of expression enshrined therein gives the media not only a primary role but also a paramount responsibility of expressing public opinion through a written word. The media has been made the essential instrument for ensuring openness in society in an attempt to polish, develop and civilize it by the process of analysis, discussion and synthesis.
The role of media in a democracy assumes even greater significance when we recognize the fact that in a society where an overwhelming majority of people are silent listeners, to access to a forum that constantly reaches others has to be viewed as a trust on their behalf for their progress and prosperity.