Journalism is one of the important grounds for democracy as it drives the freedom of expression and speech. Journalist’s is believed to have the obligation and affiliation to its country and countrymen to become the orator of truth. Therefore, democracy is restored because media have been able to assert their role in enriching and deepening the meaning of democracy.
As Mark Toldo a program researcher at Kapuso Mo, Jessica Soho says, “Democracy is what keeps Journalism alive and at the same time, journalism is what keeps democracy stable. Both of them need balancing or else, both of them might not be able to achieve its purpose and perform their function in the growth of society.”
Journalist’s and democracy performs a mutual role in our society though democracy can be mandated by law; it is a form of government being rule by the people and requires an active participation of its citizens. Public criticisms and opinions are essentials in the process of check and balances among the three branches of the government.
As Mark Toldo a program researcher at Kapuso Mo, Jessica Soho says, “Democracy is what keeps Journalism alive and at the same time, journalism is what keeps democracy stable. Both of them need balancing or else, both of them might not be able to achieve its purpose and perform their function in the growth of society.”
Journalist’s and democracy performs a mutual role in our society though democracy can be mandated by law; it is a form of government being rule by the people and requires an active participation of its citizens. Public criticisms and opinions are essentials in the process of check and balances among the three branches of the government.
The thought of the press as watchdog and its practice of monitoring the government’s anomalies serve as the best defense of the people against the abuse of power and corruption of the people sitting in the government. Though media is indeed an independent body and not even a part or branch of the government, still some thinks it shares a co-equal power as of the Executive, Legislative and Judiciary seeing media as the fourth state.
With this much power, the media’s freedom were guaranteed by the state though the state itself can revoke it. As Rizza Mostar of TV Patrol Bicol says, “Journalism and democracy empower freedom. But in freedom comes responsibility. So you can’t exercise both beyond limits”.
Freedom comes in great responsibilities; it has its limitations and exemptions. While some media organizations and practitioners engage themselves as the watchdog for the governance system reform, some are then engage into the opposite, being the media’s lapdog. They are controlled and a partisan of a very influential person either from the government or on the business industry.
With this much power, the media’s freedom were guaranteed by the state though the state itself can revoke it. As Rizza Mostar of TV Patrol Bicol says, “Journalism and democracy empower freedom. But in freedom comes responsibility. So you can’t exercise both beyond limits”.
Freedom comes in great responsibilities; it has its limitations and exemptions. While some media organizations and practitioners engage themselves as the watchdog for the governance system reform, some are then engage into the opposite, being the media’s lapdog. They are controlled and a partisan of a very influential person either from the government or on the business industry.
These media lapdogs often reports biased facts and accounts, their main agenda is to divert public opinion. Since journalism deepens the meaning of democracy to people, when the press reports about the corruption in the government, the people will always believe, the same when the press reports that there is no corruption happening here, the people will also believe.
In layman’s term, the public are very dependent on media when it comes to information making it the best medium for information dissemination. In contrast the media also serves as the tool of communication for the ordinary people to the government to convey all their needs and cries.
The presence of journalism and the media is a good indication that democracy reigns and the occurrence of democracy assures the freedom of speech, expression and the press is not suppressed. These two components are very important to build peace and harmony to each and every one of us.
In layman’s term, the public are very dependent on media when it comes to information making it the best medium for information dissemination. In contrast the media also serves as the tool of communication for the ordinary people to the government to convey all their needs and cries.
The presence of journalism and the media is a good indication that democracy reigns and the occurrence of democracy assures the freedom of speech, expression and the press is not suppressed. These two components are very important to build peace and harmony to each and every one of us.
