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How does the media support democracy?
Media has given political parties the tools to reach large numbers of people and can inform them on key issues ranging from policies to elections. In theory, media should be seen as an enabler for democracy, having better-educated voters would lead to a more legitimate government.
What are some of the roles of news media in a democracy?
First, it ensures that citizens make responsible, informed choices rather than acting out of ignorance or misinformation. Second, information serves a “checking function” by ensuring that elected representatives uphold their oaths of office and carry out the wishes of those who elected them.
What is the role of the media?
Advances in communication, largely through the internet, have improved community access to information. Therefore the media play an important role in society as a source of information, but also as a “watchdog” or scrutiniser. However, the media is free to select the stories they consider important or interesting.
What are the advantages of media?
Advantages of the media include that it allows information to be dispersed quickly and that it allows people to learn about cultures other than their own. Disadvantages of the media include that it can result in the spread of misinformation and the development of bad values.
Which news sources do Americans use for political news?
About six-in-ten of those who name NPR (64\%) or The New York Times (63\%) as their primary political news source are under age 50. The New York Times has the highest proportion of adults ages 18 to 29 who name it as their main source, at 29\%. Those ages 30 to 49 are most likely to name NPR (49\%).
Should the media play a role in politics?
It’s true that the media have played an important role in politics since the First Amendment established freedom of the press as a cornerstone of American democracy. Voters need information to make educated decisions, and it’s journalists’ job to give it to them.
Social Responsibility of News Media In the preamble to its statement of purpose, the Committee of Concerned Journalists lists as the central purpose of journalism “to provide citizens with accurate and reliable information they need to function in a free society (Committee of Concerned Journalists).”
How do Americans get their news?
According to a recent Pew Research Center study, 62 percent of Americans get their news via social media platforms. What they might not realize is that the news they see is heavily filtered.