Since the media has the ability to disseminate news and information at once, Western democratic governments have been seen to exhibit a secured relationship with the media. Further, despite being the top critic of the government, politicians usually choose not to speak against the media because of its huge control over people’s perception.
Democratic states give importance on the existence of a free press. Others say it is better to have a curtailed press than to have no press at all.
However like all democratic liberties, the media and its practitioners are vulnerable to abuse and misuse.
The Political Role of the Media
Generally, the news media serves as the “public explainer” of different government objectives and proposals. This helps in mobilizing and reinforcing public knowledge and support for an effective political action.
Journalists traditionally focus on contentious political issues and pieces of corruption expose. Thus, the media holds politicians liable to public opinion. In understanding the dynamics of the media and politics, one can learn that the media has the ability to consciously decide on issues that are worthy to obtain public attention and that are able to set public agenda.
The free flow of political events and concerns in various media is essential for public understanding of an entire political phenomenon and for the establishment of public opinion and action.
Mark Frohardt and Jonathan Temin, in an article on the use and abuse of media write, “The plurality, accessibility and reach enjoyed by the media are the indicators of the configuration of the media landscape in a particular country and the influence the medial outlets exert over society (International Development Research Center, accessed October 2010)."
Misuse and Abuse of Power: Media versus Politicians
Critics are certain that numerous politicians commit misuse of their powers as government officials. Politicians possessing a more direct political power than journalists may use the media as part of their tactics in expanding the reach of their political interests.
Conversely, the idea of journalists allowing the kind of agreement which involves their functions and privileges to favor these politicians is in itself an abuse to their profession as journalists.
Irresponsible media practitioners disregard public interest over material and non-material benefits derived from publishing or broadcasting stories that will intentionally boost up a politician’s image.
Envelopmental Journalism
Bribing journalists to side with the few and to cover up the Truth plus journalists in agreement with this scheme comprise “envelopmental journalism.” This is nothing but a disservice to the public both politicians and journalists serve.
In an article by Arvin Yana entitled "Of Pen and Envelopes," the author recognizes that a journalist’s pen wields a lot of power; yet this power does not guarantee a journalist with a satisfying compensation.
He writes, “it tempts many forces in the community to control the journalist's pen by augmenting his/her income. And idealist writers call it bribery. More appropriately, it's envelopmental journalism. (published October 1996, accessed October 2010).”
Third World Media
While Western journalists enjoy the relationship being shown by their respective governments, journalists of the third world experience the opposite fate.
All kinds of media repressions are prevalent. Government tries to filter what the public should know. Some critics say the government, in this case is already killing people’s will to democracy. Alternative journalists who speak for the Truth are assassinated, if not are threatened by the government.
For an instance, the International Federation of Journalists and the Committee to Protect Journalists included the Philippines, a Third World nation as one of the “most dangerous place for journalists to operate.”
Ricky Bautista in an article entitled "Media Killing: a threat to Press Freedom" writes that most journalists killed in action are those prominent to be serious in exposing corruption scandals or recurrently attacking government agencies including “the army, police, and politicians with a group of private armies and hired gunmen. (published August 2006, accessed October 2010).”
Yfur Porsche Fernandez - Yfur writes diverse articles on political economy, media literacy, East Asian affairs, poverty & world development, trivial literature, ...
