The Role of Media in Society Essay: Impact and Influence on Public Opinion
The Role Of Media In Society Essay
“All of us who professionally use the mass media are the shapers of society. We can vulgarize that society. We can brutalize it. Or we can help lift it onto a higher level.”
(William Bernbach)
Mass media is a unique feature of modern society. It includes all means of communication like the television, the radio, the newspapers and the internet. All these are a source of information, education and entertainment. Today, media is considered as the fourth pillar of the state all over the world, Lord Macaulay had given this status to media.
Media helps us to know about current affairs. Media persons put their lives in danger during their live coverage of terrorist attacks or natural disasters just to update us. This is how many countries are able to contribute to the affected areas. Without media our life is incomplete and is like a lamp without oil.
The debate on the role of media is, in fact, a debate on a changing world. Its role of updating and educating the people about the happenings around the world is of great importance. Media is just a reflection of the social realities. The importance of media is so great that it is viewed as the fourth pillar of democracy. It has a great role to play in the progress of a nation. It has to be very careful and responsible in its role. It has got to be free, fair and impartial in order to change our society and improve our living conditions.
I fear three newspapers more than a hundred thousand bayonets.
(Napoleon)
Media can be used as a weapon against all the social evils that hamper our national progress. It can prove very helpful in bringing about unity among the masses. Media has the power to criticize and pressurize the wrong doings and wrong policies of the government. It not only informs, educates and entertains people but also moulds public opinion. It basically works towards the betterment of the society as a whole. Without the active and positive role of media, our nation will remain handicapped. It will be like a ship without a captain.
It has awakened man to live in peace with himself and with the forces of nature around him. It has made us enlightened and broadminded, and it will continue to change our outlook towards things. It has made the world a global village and has brought people closer to one another.
The world has already changed significantly, and the change is still going on. People are becoming more and more aware of their rights and liabilities. Wrong doings now remain no longer hidden. Though corruption seems to have permeated the very social fabric of our society, the corrupt people are being exposed through media to people. Thus, true democracy is impossible without the role of media. Media’s fair role will surely change the diseased society into a healthy one.
The goal here is to build a brand around social relevance in media.
