Do Media Undermine Democracy Essay Example

objectivity, the media is not entirely objective. An example from the Netherlands demonstrates this. In the country, there are multiple television channels with their own news programs.

Nederland 1, a public channel, airs 'NOS Journaal' as its news program while SBS 6, a private channel, broadcasts 'Hart van Nederland'. A comparison between these programs reveals noticeable differences even before listening to them.

Nederland 1 presents the news in a traditional manner with formal attire and a serious tone. Conversely, SBS 6 aims to convey the same message but with less formality evident in the casual clothing and smiling newsreader. While both channels may have similar headlines for their news stories, how they deliver the message varies.

In the USA, the elections on 4 November 2008 resulted in a significant change in history as Barack Obama became the president. This event garnered global attention, even in the Netherlands. Interestingly, when comparing the information provided by different news programs' websites, there is a stark contrast in reporting the election results. The NOS Journaal, for instance, highlights McCain's reaction as well as the support from the House of Deputies and the Senate.

The news story about a Dutch school voting project was posted by another channel, Hart van Nederland, which focuses on reactions within the Netherlands. Despite the different perspectives, both channels convey the main message about the winning participant. The way in which the news is presented varies because each channel caters to a different target audience. In theory, media can be considered objective when there are multiple channels; however, authorities have the final say on what can be published, potentially impeding objectivity. Media organizations are owned by various entities such

as the government or private institutions, giving them control over what is broadcasted or published. This ownership structure contributes to subjectivity in the media, as decisions are made by a select few, rather than through democratic voting. Although viewers have some influence, such as choosing not to watch disliked programs, the preferences of viewers ultimately become known to the media owners.

The comparison between Nederland 1 and SBS 6 television channels shows that their news programs have their own viewers. Viewers choose based on factors such as broadcasting time, content, information, and news delivery style. Viewers may opt for subjectivity by watching one program, or for objectivity and a broader perspective by tuning in to a different program. Each channel has its own values and broadcasting companies, with specific time slots. These broadcasting companies were historically linked to ideological views, and their members aligned with those values. Today, most of these companies still exist on public channels, but with updated packaging that reflects more modern values. However, significant changes have also occurred, as the television industry becomes increasingly globalized.

Private television channels are usually owned by a single company, meaning there is no sharing of broadcasting time among multiple organizations. The significance of media in democracy has been thoroughly explained and defined. However, it is essential to have a precise comprehension of democracy before evaluating the democratic status of the media. As per the Longman Dictionary, democracy refers to "a governmental system where all citizens in the nation can vote to choose their government officials." In other words, a country must have a government elected by its populace.

Despite not being a democratic country, China widely practices government

censorship on certain media channels or publications. Similarly, even democratic countries like the United States of America have forms of censorship, such as prohibiting the expression of homosexual feelings in certain states. Media democracy is a model that advocates for a democratic mass media system.

Media democracy is the challenging task of defining and implementing a system that informs and empowers all members of society. It can be described as the absence of censorship, an emphasis on public interests, and diverse ownership to represent different viewpoints and citizens. However, meeting this definition involves other necessary components. The transmission of information must be efficient, precise, and thorough. Various channels are used by the media to communicate their messages.

The inclusion of content in papers, magazines, and tabloids is determined by editorial staffs, raising questions about the democratic nature of these mediums. While readers have the freedom to choose whether or not to engage with these sources, suggesting a freedom of choice and representation by the editorial staffs, the ultimate decision on topics covered lies with the editor-in-chief. A similar dynamic exists in television. In contrast, TV viewers in the Netherlands can exert more influence as citizens have the opportunity to become members of public broadcasting organizations.

Members pay a fee to support the broadcasting organisation, which determines the amount of broadcasting time the organisation receives on the television channel. However, the government still holds significant influence, controlling about 75% of the broadcasting time on public channels.

Each broadcasting organisation has its own programs and purpose, meaning that supporting an organisation means supporting their views and programmes. However, commercial broadcasting channels have a different operating procedure. These channels generate all their

income from commercials, allowing them to have complete control over the content.

References

1. Bale, T..European Politics, a comparative introduction. Chapter 7, Page 200-237.
2. Palgrave MacMillan. Copps, M. J. (9 September 2007).

Democracy and media. Retrieved on 16 December 2008, from the news center website of Common Dreams:

The text discussing democracy and media can be found on the Common Dreams news center website. The link provided is "http://action.commondreams.org/o/1493/t/0/blastContent.jsp?email_blast_KEY=32854" and another related link is "http://www.kidsplay.org/medialit." Additionally, there is another link mentioned as "http://www.schooltv.nl/eigenwijzer/infoblok."

jsp? infoblok=662714

org/wiki/Media_democracy