Mass Media Enhance or Diminish

¶ … mass media enhance or diminish the prospects of democracy in the United States?

In theory the media is a vital part of the democratic process in America as well as in other countries. One often hears the view that a free and independent media is the hallmark of a democratic country and that the mass media is an essential part of the functioning of the democratic process. This view stems for the fact that ideally it is through the free and open media and via the discussion and information that is provided by such a media, that the ordinary citizen is able to ascertain the truth or falsity of the political or social situation that they are presented with.

On the basis of this view the media information provides vital information for decision making and the democratic process. A prime example is the Watergate scandal and the way that the media acted to inform the public of illegalities in government. Therefore one could state that that a common and generally accepted view is that the media plays a critical role in the functioning of democracy in America. This refers to the "...hallowed belief that democracy requires active citizens and news media that supply them with information they need to participate effectively in politics..." (Graber)

On the other hand theorists have also argued that in fact the mass media impedes or obstructs the democratic process to a certain extent. In this view the news, views and discussions presented by the various media are seen as a potential stumbling block to democracy. This argument is based on the view that the mass media can be biased and controlled by various entities that have both commercial and political interests. In this case the media presents the "truth" to suit and cater for certain political ends.

In a democracy like American where freedom of speech is enshrined in the Constitution, this view takes on a certain reality in that the news and views disseminated by the media may not always be factual or true and the reader or viewer has to be very discerning in what they read or watch. A study on this subject entitled Mind control and the media states that while the invention of printing is historically linked to the rise of democracy in the worlds and in Media, yet, "...this does not mean that the mass media inherently serves democracy." (Gannaway)

This article goes on to articulate a view that has become reiterated in many other studies of the media with regard to the potential that the media has to present false and biased views to the general public. The study also repeats a view that is central to the criticism of contemporary mass media in this country and in many areas of the world. "In today's world, media are vulnerable to manipulation by political authorities and economic forces. They are not inevitably an agent of democracy." (Gannaway)