The Media in a Democracy - Essay Example

The Media in a Democracy Name Institution Introduction In Australia, it is apparent from the media inquiry report that many concerns have been raised on the need for the media to uphold the highest possible level of integrity, professionalism, and high moral standards. It is believed that such an approach will help to streamline business operations in the country and thus enhance steady economic, political, technological, cultural, and social stability. Indeed, concerns have further been raised about stakeholder participation, reluctance to change by the political class with regards to the manner in which the address and utilize various technological inventions, and also incorporate technological expertise in the management of the democratic system (Jones & Pusey, 2008; Finkelstein & Ricketson, 2012). Media Ideals One major ideal of the media, in any society, is to do right at all times. This must be in line with the diverse constitutional provisions that are in place to safeguard the interests of all stakeholders. As stated by Joseph Pulitzer, the highest ideals of journalism need to be upheld when addressing various problems that the society faces. In the worst case scenario, Jones and Pusey (2008) argue that journalism that is not accompanied with restrain could lead to increased political tension in the country, unwarranted resentment of government policies, increased political tension, and laziness among the political class and the citizens a like. It is worthwhile to appreciate the fact that the said “most scrupulous anxiety to do right” does not imply failing to uphold the national and internally recognized media codes of ethics and the need for strict accountability. To the contrary, all ethos, political ideals, and codes of conduct should be understood and applied in a very sober manner. This will demand that strict understanding of the ethical morals is done and that no level of biasness by the media is experienced. While business models and journalism trends may change, the media’s role in any democracy must remain steadfast and enshrined in the national standards. Indeed, the existence of a free press helps to foster a liberal and very democratic society. This form of journalism enhances fairness and accurate reporting and must at all times be ready to truly account for the information it communicates to the public (Finkelstein & Ricketson, 2012; Moore, 2007). In the Australian society, various challenges face journalism and its influence to the democratic system. Political interference and the need to champion selfish interests of the business class remain a major challenge in the country. Accuracy in reporting, fairness in the news coverage, impartiality in addressing critical and very sensitive issues, and enhancement of the highest possible level of integrity should be enhanced. To do so in a transparent and very cost effective manner, the independence of journalists should also be upheld (Finkelstein & Ricketson, 2012). The fact that journalists have a tendency to political and business class persons is not in doubt. This problem remains a major hindrance to the creation of a safe business environment in the country. Corruption, nepotism, gender based biasness; another discriminatory approaches have continued to skyrocket. Sadly, failure to uphold high moral standards and integral ethical values remains a major challenge to the country. Although moral responsibility may never warrant a sudden or steady growth of the economy, it surely can improve the political and business environment in the country. Consequently, the country would generally be better placed to encourage clear economic, social, and cultural growth with the view to foster unity and a culture of hard work across the nation. It is apparent that the first statement champions for the media to uphold moral responsibility and at the same time be sensitive to the political challenges that could arise from the selfish interests of the political and business class (Finkelstein & Ricketson, 2012). Moral structures of the media in a democracy tend to be inclined towards fostering the interests of the political class. Major Australian media houses and companies such as Nine Network, GEM, DTD, GO!, ACP Magazine, Ninemsn digital entertainment portal, WIN corporation, ABC, SBS, C91.3FM, Southern Cross Broadcasting, Seven Media Group, Ten Network Holdings, and Fairfax Media have continued to struggle with the need to be independent and act like free media (Jones & Pusey, 2008). The indispensability of the media remains very crucial in the realization of the concept of free press and the need to increase the democratic space. Appreciation of the fact that upholding freedom of speech and authoritative and fair media coverage is the backbo0rn of any democracy is a very critical concept. Australian media practitioners must be nonpartisan. They must always have the desire to do right, be independent, accountable, and nonpartisan in their journalism endeavours (Druckman & ParkinSource, 2005; Brahm, 2006; Matsheza & Kututwa, 2005). Over the years, print newspapers have proved to be very fundamental platforms of communicating vital information to the public in most countries, states, cities, and towns. Although commonly mystified with magazines and monthly journal articles, print newspapers play a pivotal role of conveying fundamental information, ideas, concepts, and news to the readers. According to Brahm (2006), the advent of online newspaper editions tends to have an unknown effect on the overall readership of printed materials, print newspapers in particular. The concept of the media being antagonistic to the welfare of the public is envisioned as a challenge that faces journalism as a profession. The report of the independent Australian media inquiry presents the use of adhering to the highest ideals, being aware of journalism challenges, and upholding a high sense of moral responsibility as the solution to the problems. However, it is crucial to appreciate that the fact that newspapers, like other forms of media, are vital communication tools that must uphold the rule of law and ensure that public interest is not put at stake. The last statement that attempt to allege that a newspaper is a private enterprise that owes nothing to the public lacks moral responsibility. In any democracy, accountability, respect for public interests, and adherence to the rule of law is of great essence. Newspaper manufacturers, related media houses, and the newspaper vendors must at all times ensure that they are willing, ready, and able to account for whatever content that is contained in their print media. According to Moore (2007), newspapers should not simply be considered as a private enterprise that has no franchise. The risk level should fairly be spread among all stakeholders and a way of enhancing accountability and responsiveness in the media fraternity. Media and Democracy The fact that the media support a wide range of political activities while encouraging user control on the content that the same media publicizes cannot be overlooked in the Australian context. From a political perspective, the use of the media demands that all stakeholders have a certain minimal level of technological expertise and be aware of the challenges that face other related industries. In Australia and with reference to the challenges that the media faces, it is apparent that most people in the political arena need to fully understand the manner in which politics and the media are interrelated (Matsheza & Kututwa, 2005). In any given society, the media must fully understand its vital role in the democracy. The sensitivity of the information it relays to the public and the essence of good publication is evidently a key role that must be undertaken in an open, candid, and open manner – with a lot of professionalism. Even in a democracy, freedom of speech should never be misinterpreted to mean ability to communicate any information to the public and in whatever format without being thoughtful of the ultimate implication of the action. Various ideals must be upheld in order for the media to remain relevant in society. This includes altering the unfounded perception of the purpose and concept of newspaper and other related forms of print media. The Australian media needs to be reformed with the view to effectively serve the public. To this end, stakeholder involvement should be undertaken while a high sense of business accountability must be enhanced. As a show of moral political responsibility, the Australian media must strive to do the right things and be ready to bear the praise, reward, blame, and punishment that come with it (Moore, 2007). Like other forms of the media, newspaper manufacturers and vendors must understand that they have a responsibility to enhance democracy. The information that the media broadcast, whether in print or over the air, should be done with the highest possible level of accountability, maturity, and high moral standards. There are numerous incidences in excessive hype and unworthy coverage of sensitive information has caused riots, mass action, and tension in Australia. The loopholes exposed in Australian democratic system often trigger public outcry leading to unrest in society. It is crucial for the media in any democracy to be very sensitive and responsible in their reporting in order to ensure that commercialisation of some media sectors does focus on strictly broadcasting negative information (Finkelstein & Ricketson, 2012). The media in any given society must play its political responsibility with the view to enhance good governance and better relationship between the government and its people. As revealed from the findings of the Australian media inquiry, proper media coverage of political happenings is an important aspect of enhancing media accountability. The economic objectives and democratic goals of the government must always be communicated to the public without unfairly focusing on the negative developments that could otherwise derail better citizenship (Druckman & ParkinSource, 2005). The media should be focused on reducing the communication loopholes that could trigger subversion of the existing freedom of speech and communication space. The statements tend to put the blame of lack of political and business accountability on journalists while ignoring other relevant institutions needed to ensure that the media enhances democracy in society. Rather than to focus on enhancing accountability and putting in place moral structures, the media is presumably blamed for its failure to augment democratic ideals. It is also evident that newspapers are disregarded as non-essential modes of communication that could cause major disharmony in society if no proper monitoring and evaluation is done. Moral Responsibility and Media Regulation Over the years, the role of the media and various other technological inventions has continued to face many financial challenges. Lack of transparency, accountability, and reliability remains to be major challenges that face the industry. Many political regulations only help to hinder accountability and thus ensure that the political class continues to reign (Matsheza & Kututwa, 2005). By being liberal and accountable, the newspaper form of media should focus on ensuring that it overcomes government’s dominion on circulation of information and thus encouraging a mature information culture. Like most forms of online media, newspapers have greatly transformed information sharing and communication among people in Australia. Internet technology and information revolution have made communication easier and cheaper. While information technology revolution seems to have had tremendous benefits that relates to the reduced cost of accessing information and enhanced accessibility, lack of accountability is a major threat to effective governance (Finkelstein & Ricketson, 2012). Many challenges still face the various industries that have continued to exploit people through the use of online information communication technologies. Culture, age, educational background, gender and religion slightly shape the extent to which online newspaper readership has been transformed and used in shaping democracy (Druckman & ParkinSource, 2005; Matsheza & Kututwa, 2005). While the newspaper readership trend has been tilting towards the use of Internet and other modern technologies of communication, newspaper readership seems to have become complicated and in some instances greatly hindered. In some instances, it has become very complex to distinguish between online newspaper editions and other electronic publication contents published in form of blogs, social media websites, and media streaming avenues and other modern forms of Internet communication in the Australian democratic system. Political and business interests should never have greater preference to the needs, demands, and interests of people in society. Regardless of the extent to which the political and business class interests may fail to be catered for, it is crucial for the media practitioners to remain steadfast in its core mandate in society. This include informing the citizens, educating the public on its rights, privileges, and the need to uphold the rule of law, entertainment, and ensuring that there is a correlation in society. The statements are built on the understanding that prejudice should be detested. As explained by Brahm (2006), the media should never blindly claim to uphold moral and social responsibility without considering both its long-term and short-term influence to the public. Instead, it should be used to remind the political class of their responsibility to the citizens. Democratic systems should ensure that stringent actions are undertaken to encourage responsiveness media coverage that inculcate a culture of effective political leadership. Moral responsibility of journalism should never be misinterpreted as a mere act of independently doing right without due consideration for the consequences of such actions. Ideally, the root cause of journalists’ subservience to business interests should be understood and addressed in a timely manner. It is risky to consider newspapers as a form of media that does not need to be responsive in its approach to communication and the spread of news. Such an act could lead to reduced professionalism in the media industry and hence lack of political and economic stability. In cases where subservience to various selfish interests is triggered by poor working conditions, the media fraternity and the government should focus on improving the working conditions and remuneration standards in the media industry (Moore, 2007; Matsheza & Kututwa, 2005). Media reforms remain to be a focal aspect of the interrelationship between the Australian media and the country’s “concept of democracy”. The media has continued to strengthen Australian society and ensure that political systems in the country are fully accountability to the society by fully adhering to the rule of law. Rather than be constantly regulated on its content and practise, the political and business class should focus on ensuring that the media enjoys the independence it needs to undertake its duties in a responsive manner. Better still, existence of an appropriate journalism environment in Australia would act as a recipe for transparent, reliable, and streamlined communication. Subsequently, the moral structures that exist in the country would experience a paradigm shift towards enhancing a greater and better level of accountability, reliability, and focus on upholding the rule of law (Finkelstein & Ricketson, 2012). The independence of the media should never be construed to mean the freedom to converse any information to the public. It is crucial to ensure that a fair checks and balances system is put in place to ensure that the operations of the media do not cause unwarranted public anxiety, political conflicts, and tension unstable business environment. Moral structures that guide the existence of journalism should be pegged on ensuring that non-selfish interests of all shareholders are fairly catered for. Instead of focusing on implementing stringent and very redundant media regulatory policies, focus should be put on developing moral ethos and inculcating an unwavering culture of accountability and respect for the rule of law (Brahm, 2006). Conclusion The media has a very crucial role in shaping a democracy. From a positive perspective, it is evident from the above critical analysis that the Australian media should focus on raising the aspirations and ethical demands of the public. It is also apparent that the Australian media has become both an informer and an integral part of the Australian democratic system. Consequently, the media enabled people to make very informed political, social, economic, and social-cultural decisions hence a fresh era in the Australian democracy. It is evident that the media has an indispensable role in any democracy system. References Brahm, G. N. (2006). Understanding Noam Chomsky: Reconsideration, Critical Studies in Media Communication, 23:5, 453-461. Druckman, J. N. & ParkinSource, M. (2005). The Impact of Media Bias: How Editorial Slant Affects Voters, The Journal of Politics. Cambridge University Press, Vol. 67, No. 4. Finkelstein, R. & Ricketson, M. (2012). Report of the Independent Inquiry into the Media and Media Regulation, Australian Government, Section 2.77. Jones, P. & Pusey, M. (2008). Mediated Political Communication in Australia: leading issues, new evidence., Australian Journal of Social Issues 43 (4), 419-583. Matsheza, P. & Kututwa, N. (2005). The role of the media in promoting democracy and good governance, Human Rights Trust of Southern Africa, 6-39. Moore, M. (2007). British Journalism Review. Public interest, media neglect, 18: 33. Read More

The fact that journalists have a tendency to political and business class persons is not in doubt. This problem remains a major hindrance to the creation of a safe business environment in the country. Corruption, nepotism, gender based biasness; another discriminatory approaches have continued to skyrocket. Sadly, failure to uphold high moral standards and integral ethical values remains a major challenge to the country. Although moral responsibility may never warrant a sudden or steady growth of the economy, it surely can improve the political and business environment in the country.

Consequently, the country would generally be better placed to encourage clear economic, social, and cultural growth with the view to foster unity and a culture of hard work across the nation. It is apparent that the first statement champions for the media to uphold moral responsibility and at the same time be sensitive to the political challenges that could arise from the selfish interests of the political and business class (Finkelstein & Ricketson, 2012). Moral structures of the media in a democracy tend to be inclined towards fostering the interests of the political class.

Major Australian media houses and companies such as Nine Network, GEM, DTD, GO!, ACP Magazine, Ninemsn digital entertainment portal, WIN corporation, ABC, SBS, C91.3FM, Southern Cross Broadcasting, Seven Media Group, Ten Network Holdings, and Fairfax Media have continued to struggle with the need to be independent and act like free media (Jones & Pusey, 2008). The indispensability of the media remains very crucial in the realization of the concept of free press and the need to increase the democratic space.

Appreciation of the fact that upholding freedom of speech and authoritative and fair media coverage is the backbo0rn of any democracy is a very critical concept. Australian media practitioners must be nonpartisan. They must always have the desire to do right, be independent, accountable, and nonpartisan in their journalism endeavours (Druckman & ParkinSource, 2005; Brahm, 2006; Matsheza & Kututwa, 2005). Over the years, print newspapers have proved to be very fundamental platforms of communicating vital information to the public in most countries, states, cities, and towns.

Although commonly mystified with magazines and monthly journal articles, print newspapers play a pivotal role of conveying fundamental information, ideas, concepts, and news to the readers. According to Brahm (2006), the advent of online newspaper editions tends to have an unknown effect on the overall readership of printed materials, print newspapers in particular. The concept of the media being antagonistic to the welfare of the public is envisioned as a challenge that faces journalism as a profession.

The report of the independent Australian media inquiry presents the use of adhering to the highest ideals, being aware of journalism challenges, and upholding a high sense of moral responsibility as the solution to the problems. However, it is crucial to appreciate that the fact that newspapers, like other forms of media, are vital communication tools that must uphold the rule of law and ensure that public interest is not put at stake. The last statement that attempt to allege that a newspaper is a private enterprise that owes nothing to the public lacks moral responsibility.

In any democracy, accountability, respect for public interests, and adherence to the rule of law is of great essence. Newspaper manufacturers, related media houses, and the newspaper vendors must at all times ensure that they are willing, ready, and able to account for whatever content that is contained in their print media. According to Moore (2007), newspapers should not simply be considered as a private enterprise that has no franchise. The risk level should fairly be spread among all stakeholders and a way of enhancing accountability and responsiveness in the media fraternity.

Media and Democracy The fact that the media support a wide range of political activities while encouraging user control on the content that the same media publicizes cannot be overlooked in the Australian context.

Read More