The Role of Media in a

Democracy
Dr Greg Simons
Department of Eurasian Studies
Uppsala University

Media and Democracy

Whatistherelationshipbetweenmassmediaanddemocracy?
Andwhyisitimportant?
Afirstpointthatneedstobemadeisthatdemocracyisaword,
whichovertimehasbeensubjectedtomanyusesandabuses.

Media and Democracy

Commissioner Marcelino Oreja chaired the High
Level Group on Audio-visual Policy, which
contributed to the European Commissions
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

Government

Public

Massmedia

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
1 Journalisms first obligation is to the truth
2 Its first loyalty is to the citizens
3 Its essence is a discipline of verification
4 Its practitioners must maintain an independence from those
they cover
5 It must serve as an independent monitor of power
6 It must provide a forum for public criticism and compromise
7 It must strive to make the significant interesting and relevant
8 It must keep the news comprehensive and in proportion
9 Its 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.