Holding Media Accountable

Holding Media AccountableQuestion argon the countersign media adequately accountable for their reporting? Is there a gather up for legislative remedy?There is a common concern that the intelligence in pathation media in the modern shape up is no longer organism held accountable for its reporting that is, non seeling the expectation that it behaves in a certain focal point that contributes to the mankind good ( distinguishicularly in resemblance to the policy-making scope). Since the late seventeenth century the medias vital function in popular governance has been sp be as a result of its signifi great dealt power and function to wield the body marchs of the brass (Schultz 1998). To this day this role of the media remains to be a complete aspect of both modern democratic theory and practice. In this essay, the discussion medias general role in a state pull up stakes be examined, such as the way in which it promotes it and its impact on the shelter of human rig hts. Additionally, the versatile constraints in certain democracies that digest limit the medias readiness to al shipway hold a positive role will be explored in order to expose possible legislative reforms to enhance media answer world power. Finally, the ways in which the media is used in order to support development and democracy will be examined, such as its historical victories in exposing establishment corruption and instigating reconciliation between warring groups. Whether or non the passwordworthiness media is adequately accountable for its reporting depends on the concomitant democracy in which it exists as they brush aside vary greatly. This essay will contend that in developed democracies (such as Australia) the medias account aptitude can be perceived as adequate at this point in time, however it will to a fault acknowledge that legislative reform is certainly needed in roughly former(a) democracies that argon less complete.Democracy is near impossible to be achieved without a free press by means of playing a numberless of key roles that will be discussed an adequate level of accountability to the public can be maintained for the medias reporting. The press is widely called the Fourth realm to describe it as a somewhat additional branch of governing body that attends those governing are kept in check (Schultz 1998). Without the providing of this check and balance, governments cannot very be effective. Thomas Jefferson as a key historic governmental figure supported this idea, arguing that the truth of any matter will only emerge through the exchanging of information via the press (Holmes 1991). The notion of the media creation a watchdog is widely accepted that is, it acts as a protector of the public interest that ensures citizens are consistently well informed on the actions of political officials and institutions (Schultz 1998). in particular in those democracies that are less developed where legislatures and judiciaries ar e either powerless or corrupt, the media is oftentimes left as the function bastion against the abuse of power (Schultz 1998). Furthermore, the presence of the media provides for a vital field of honor of public hand between those that govern and the governed. This increased level of debate not only ensures that every citizen is given the opportunity to contribute, but it as well allows for enhanced decision making due to the collaboration of more polar views and ideas (Holmes 1991). In contrast (for further elaboration), during authoritarian rule, obviously the quality of the laws and policies established were significantly lower due to minimal discussion and debate and the absence seizure of a free and accountable media to help build a civil culture (Schultz 1998). Sen (1999 Pg 43) described critical public discussion to be an highly consequential requirement for good public policy. Additionally, the medias accountability is particularly patent when one looks at disaster. Sen (1999) makes a further point in relation to this, asserting that a free press in a carrying into action democracy contributes greatly through the spread of information (which somewhat acts as an early warning system) that can significantly impact policies for (e.g.) famine prevention. The coupled Nations maturement Programme (1997) adds to this, contending that if (for example) poverty is to be addressed, equally as grand is the transfer of information to those in need. This is due to the fact that it would allow for them to recruit in the political process and public life it is difficult for an person to assert their rights if they dont even know they exist. by dint of the media involving those that are marginalised, their views and issues become part of public debate, and thus the likelihood that these views be addressed is obviously ut around more apparent than if they remain unheard (Sen 1999). The media plays a very definitive role via its accountability in a dem ocratic society still constraints do exist in some democracies that attempt to compromise this role.Particularly in newly established democracies, the reality is that the medias accountability can be affected negatively, prompting the potential need for legislative reform. Despite constitutional guarantees, in numerous democracies the media is greatly re stringented by over-bearing laws, monopolistic ownership, and sometimes even physical force. In 2002, 136 journalists were imprisoned and 20 were killed as a result of their reporting in new democracies not satisfying the government (Committee to Protect Journalists 2003). In addition to state control constraints, a more often than not global trend is beginning to dominate media markets in the modern age as a result of increased organisational competition. This involves a dumbing down of the news in other words, an increased focus on shallow and shocking topics that aim more so to entertain preferably than inform audiences of matters that are farther more important (Selizer 2004). Consequently, public discourse is too negatively impacted as tribes respond to this dumbed down news that they are receiving (Selizer 2004). So not only does this modern worldwide trend compromise media accountability to the public, it also affects the publics own ability to recognise good news from unwholesome news, making demands for change far less likely to substantiate. Moreover, in many countries ownership of the media is often controlled by just a few immense dominating corporations that have taken over all smaller news organisations. With this high concentration of media ownership, there is not only minimal potpourri but also strong biases in the news macrocosm presented to us (Djankov 2001 et al). Media tycoons (particularly in new democracies) tend to use their broadcast stations or newspapers to pursue their own vested interests such as the forwarding of their business interests and political agenda (Djankov 2001 et al). In essence, the interests of these few people are manipulating the media through themselves find out the content that is to be publicised. In order to address some of these constraints on the media, recommendations can certainly be made to attempt at instigating action for change where it is needed. For instance, sometimes the media is targeted by particularly powerful people and groups that reach to silence it to benefit their own interests. Primarily in developing democracies where (for example) strict licensing requirements may be demanded of the media, it is of par criterion importance that authoritarian laws such as this are repealed and replaced with more liberal legislation (Committee to Protect Journalists 2003). Additionally, legal and judicial reforms are vital to ensure that journalists rights are enforced in motor inn while those that do them harm are prosecuted. Only this way can it be ensured that the media has the freedom to report on important issues and remain accountable to the public. It is to be acknowledged that media laws in developed democracies are certainly far from perfect, and indeed they could be tweaked to improve media accountability. However, the Australian media for example, enjoys a large amount of freedom with guaranteed rights protecting it and is thus significantly safe from harm or stringent laws. As a result, it can be argued that legislative reform is not of immediate importance. A final area to be discussed in this essay is the medias practices that have promoted democracy and positive governance, shedding light on its accountability to the public. news show organisations in many countries epitomise the democratic warning of the media as a pecker for information, a public forum, and as an establisher of consensus and harmony. If a society is to be truly democratic citizen company is paramount the media acknowledges this through ensuring that the populations are consistently engaged with the latest in the political sphere (Schultz 1998). For example, aiding them to make informed choices in regards to whom they should vote for and the particular policies that should and shouldnt be supported. Through mediums such as public-affairs programs the media provides enough detailed information to equip voters with the ability to be able to critically analyse the political sphere and are thus likely to engage with it far more than they would other be capable of (Schultz 1998). In the modern age of widespread global depart it is especially difficult for a countrys media to inform all of its citizens when they inhabit other areas across the world (Zelizer 2004). As a result, the use of the internet as a medium for the transfer of information has been adopted and proven to be highly effective. For example, early in the 21st century in the Roumanian local elections, a large array of online information portals were established to ensure access to the latest political news was available to ev en citizens invigoration on the other side of the world (Ulmanu 2000). Once again, this is evidence of the media endeavouring to fulfil its accountability to the public in this way it is through acting not only as an information tool but as a public forum for critical debate. Also related to this is the way in which the media acts as a builder of peace and consensus. This is relevant because if power and bout exists within a democratic society, the political process cannot consequently flesh out as a result of peaceful critical discussion likely to be non-existent. In many societies the media tends to play a key role in providing methods of mediation to warring groups with the aim of public order being re-taken as promptly as possible (Bambang 2002). Many critics argue that this is not the case, and that the media itself often fuels violence via (e.g.) reporting incorrect facts and reinforcing prejudices (Bambang 2002). For example, in the midst of the mount conflict in Rwanda d uring the 1990s, a radio station (funded by outside(a) donations) was being used by extremists in support of genocide (Bambang 2002). spell there are indeed cases in the past that depict ridiculous actions on the medias part in fulfilling its accountability, much has been done to reverse this. For instance, many media organisations worldwide now train their journalists in what is dubbed peace journalism (Bambang 2002). This consists of the promotion of reconciliation via careful reportage that does not take stances on particular topics but rather gives voice to all of the differing viewpoints. Further, peace journalism resists justifications for violence, and rather than focusing on the violence itself it magnifies the affects it is having upon innocent individuals and communities (Bambang 2002). Not only this, it also attempts to bridge differences between warring groups in the hopes of a resolution being achieved. In the modern age (particularly in highly developed democracies) this form of reporting is the default method in times of war/crises.It can be concluded that the news media is indeed adequately accountable for its reporting, and at this time it does not need to be a priority to put on further legislative reform. Of course, it is important to recognise that this certainly depends upon the particular democratic society in which is being focused on as they can vary significantly in regards to their medias and their levels of accountability to that particular society. However, in most developed democracies the medias reporting can be perceived as before long adequate. This has been supported in this essay through referring to the various roles the media can be seen to play in the publics interest. It acts as a watchdog (or more officially as the Fourth Estate) in order to ensure the government is kept in check and power is not abused additionally it often acts effectively as a bridge between the public and the government when there is corruption amongst institutional bodies. It acts as a public field of study in which all citizens are given the opportunity to contribute to the political process this allows for improved decision making which leads to the establishment of laws that apply to the population as a whole (including those living in poverty that would otherwise have no knowledge (or access) of political participation. Secondly, this essay addressed the various constraints upon the media (particularly in those democracies that are relatively new and less developed). In some of these cases media accountability is not adequate and legislative reform would be pattern to (for example) protect journalists from any form of harm or harassment that compromises their ability to report truthfully and remain accountable to the public. Finally, the media plays the role of an information tool and public forum, educating voters on the latest political updates (regardless of their location) and thus protecting the wander of demo cracy that citizen participation is central to. In addition to this, such participation is made possible through the media promoting peace and consensus, endeavouring to keep conflict and violence levels low so as to not disrupt the political process and voters vital role in it. The media acts as a very important mechanism for democracy through public accountability. While this can at times be compromised, all in all it is adequate at this time and legislative reform should not be considered a priority.BIBLIOGRAPHYBambang Wisudo. P (2002), Broadening memory access to Information as a Way of culmination War journalism, paper presented in a conference on Access to Information in Southeast Asia, Thailand.Committee to Protect Journalists (2003), Attacks on the mash in 2002, New York Committee to Protect Journalists.Djankov. S, McLeish. C, Nenova. T, Shleifer. A, (2001), Who Owns the Media? Draft paper for the domain of a function Banks World Development Report.Holmes, Stephen (1991 ), Liberal constraints on snobbish power? Democracy and the Mass Media, Cambridge Cambridge University Press, pp. 21-42.Schultz, Julianne (1998), Reviving the Fourth Estate. Democracy, Accountability and the Media, Cambridge Cambridge University Press.Sen, Amartya (1999), Development and Freedom, New York Anchor Books.Ulmanu, Alex (2000), Romanian Election Enters Net Battleground, in Online Journalism Review, retrieved from http//www.ojr.org/ojr/technology/1017962590.php.United Nations Development Programme, Corruption and Good Governance word Paper 3, (1997), published by the Management Development and Governance Division, business office for Policy and Programme Support.Zelizer, B (2004), Taking Journalism Seriously News and the Academy, London Sage.