The Role of Media in a Democracy Dr Greg Simons Department of Eurasian Studies Uppsala University

Media and Democracy What is the relationship between mass media and democracy? And why is it important? A first point that needs to be made is that democracy is a word, which over time has been subjected to many uses and abuses.

Media and Democracy Commissioner Marcelino Oreja chaired the High Level Group on Audio-visual Policy, which contributed to the European Commission’s report. A premise of the findings was that “a modern democratic society can not exist without communications media” that; (1) are widely available and accessible; (2) reflect the pluralistic nature of such society and are not dominated by any one viewpoint or controlled by one interest group;

Media and Democracy (3) make available the information necessary for citizens to make informed choices about their lives and their communities; (4) provide the means whereby the public debate which underpins free and democratic societies can take place, means that the market will not necessarily deliver its own. (Oreja et al., 1998: 9)

Media and Society The previous slide depicts an ideal situation, in the relationship between mass media and society in a democracy. The realities of politics and economics in modern society mean that getting truly ‘objective’ information is a utopia. These problems are global, including those countries that are used as ‘models’ for other countries to follow.

Media and Society Politics directs the movement and functioning of all aspects of modern society. In this regard it can be considered as being at the head of an apex. The lifeblood of politics is information, without which it is at a severe disadvantage.

Media and Society Public Mass media Government

Rights and Obligations of Free Speech There are a number of rights and obligations to protect rights and abuses against the media, but also against the public Article 10 – European Convention on Human Rights Everyone has the right to freedom of expression. This right shall include freedom to hold opinions and to receive and impart information and ideas without interference by public authority and regardless of frontiers. This article shall not prevent States from requiring the licensing of broadcasting, television or cinema enterprises. The exercise of these freedoms, since it carries with it duties and responsibilities, may be subject to such formalities, conditions, restrictions or penalties as are prescribed by law and are necessary in a democratic society, in the interests of national security, territorial integrity or public safety, for the prevention of disorder or crime, for the protection of health or morals, for the protection of the reputation or rights of others, for preventing the disclosure of information received in confidence, or for maintaining the authority and impartiality of the judiciary.

Journalism Bill Kovach and Tom Rosenstiel (2007) list the elements of journalism 1Journalism’s first obligation is to the truth 2Its first loyalty is to the citizens 3Its essence is a discipline of verification 4Its practitioners must maintain an independence from those they cover 5It must serve as an independent monitor of power 6It must provide a forum for public criticism and compromise 7It must strive to make the significant interesting and relevant 8It must keep the news comprehensive and in proportion 9Its practitioners have an obligation to exercise their personal conscience 10 Citizens, too, have rights and responsibilities when it comes to the news

Concluding Remarks Mass media provide a window on events happening in society to an audience that may not experience them directly. A free and informed debate in society through mass media and the dissemination of objective information is necessary in order for citizens to make informed decisions. This does not happen, even in established democracies due to inherent political and economic interests. And politics understands the need to shape and guide public opinion through effective communications management.