Free media is essential in any democratic society for the stable development and balance of decision making in any government. It is a tool which enhances people in expressing their opinions and understand what is happening around them. Media play a vital role in any society to inform the public on pressing issues and work as a watchdog for healthy government. Hence, there is a true democracy in any society if citizens are equally participated and be informed in all facets of their government and its everyday activities.
In general free press is the cornerstone of democracy that has been said often. It informs the public of decisions and actions that affect the public. It provides the public the means of expressing their opinions. It asks those in power and authority the questions members of the public would like to ask. It tries to gather information that members of the public need to have before they made the important decisions in their lives.
Thus emphasizing media freedom in any society has truly depicted the actual meaning of democracy. There is a need for a free media for ordinary people to know what is happening in their country and to monitor the government to ensure accountability and transparency. It acts as a watchdog for good governance.
However, for democracy to work, the infrastructure and communications technology needs to reach the masses so that people are adequately informed through an uncensored media. Restricting or imposing censorship on media has disadvantaged ordinary citizens to fully exercise their rights of balance information and their contribution in decision making. Also the lack of similar choice to be informed means leaders have more opportunity to make decisions which may not be in the best interests of citizens. Grass-roots people were not sufficiently informed to make critical decisions and hold leaders accountable.
In general free press is the cornerstone of democracy that has been said often. It informs the public of decisions and actions that affect the public. It provides the public the means of expressing their opinions. It asks those in power and authority the questions members of the public would like to ask. It tries to gather information that members of the public need to have before they made the important decisions in their lives.
Thus emphasizing media freedom in any society has truly depicted the actual meaning of democracy. There is a need for a free media for ordinary people to know what is happening in their country and to monitor the government to ensure accountability and transparency. It acts as a watchdog for good governance.
Why media censorship is bad and does not depicts true democracy? Because it further prevented leaders or ordinary citizen to communicate with each other, express their ideas and to participate in decision making for a true democracy. In order for democracy to be fully realized, we need to have a proper and uncensored communication services available so that grass-roots people could freely exercise their democratic rights.
Most Pacific countries are said to be democratic societies, however, this claimed is meaningless when there is a restriction put in place on citizens to equally participate and made decisions in society. Fiji and Solomon Islands for instance have been suppressed the role of the media politically and culturally in many ways.Which people are not fully participate in decision making due to media censorship as in the case of Fiji. Also in Solomon Islands where traditional cultures has obviously suppressed the role of the media.
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