The Important Role of Mass Media in A State
Different types of tools or mediums are required to run a state. These help the state to run more properly. One of them is Mass Media. Without the proper role of mass media and activities, a state cannot run effectively. So, the important role of mass media in a state is essential.
The business of government and the opposition; the economic and political lives of a nation are usually discussed by the mass media.
The mass media engage in every aspect of human activity but our concern is mainly on political, social and economic areas engaged by government attempt to better the lives of her citizens, protect government interests and the interests of international bodies.
The Important Role of Mass Media in A State:
Without the role of mass media, a state cannot function properly. This media can divide the media into different parts. Before going to the discussion about the importance role of mass media in a state, you see the at a glance of mass media.
| Name | Started | Example |
|---|---|---|
| 15th century | Books, Pamphlets, Newspapers, Magazines, etc. | |
| Recording | 1900 | Movies, Drama, Reports, etc. |
| Cinema | Roland Mendel | Austria |
| Radio | 1910 | WWPR, WFMU, KEXP, CJRT, etc |
| Television | 1950 | CNN, BBC, Aljazira |
| Internet | 1990 | News Site, Blog, Website, etc. |
| Mobile Phones | 2000 | Apple, Samsung, Nokia, Symphony, Blackberry |
These may include newspapers or print media, radio, television or TV channels, internet or web sites or news sites, etc. However, these are discussed in more detail below.
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The Role of Newspapers or Print Media:
The newspapers that play significant role in national life, as a watch dog on government business includes the USA Today, The Guardian, The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, The Washington Post, Daily Mail, Dainik Bhaskar, Reference News, etc. are the world popular newspapers.
These newspapers capture the activities of government in their front page and also the opinion of the citizenry.
The journalist write articles in newspapers to expose the happenings in the society, the conduct of government, the impact of government policies, the criticism of the government by opposition, international commentaries of the general performance of government and other activities.
Through advertisement the public are better informed of what happens in the society. The general public could also write to the editor of any newspaper on any matter for publication.
The newspapers act as a measure of public opinion. It also enquirers through its searchlight into various activities of both the government and the citizens.
The reporters examine various aspects of their area of research and enquirer into the details of all information. Through newspapers the voice of the politicians, the parties, the government and the oppositions and the clergy are heard.
The activities of newspapers and magazines: televisions and radios in National life are comprehensive. Just like tee newspaper, the radio performs similar function but with wider outreach.
The Role of Mass Media – Radios
WWOZ 90.7 FM (New Orleans), WQXR 105.9 FM (New York), KUSF 90.3 FM (San Francisco), Radio Free Brooklyn (Brooklyn, New York), NTS Radio (London), Radio Musical De Cuba (Havana), Cinemix (Seattle), BBC World Service, etc. are the world top radio stations.
The radio stations through their hourly news inform the citizens of the activities of government. Likewise, the opposition parties use the same medium to inform the citizens on the inactivity of government through constructive criticism.
The Role of Television or TV Channel
BBC One, National Geographic Channel, Star Sports, MTV, CN, AXN, Disney Channel, Star World, etc. are the most watched TV channels in the world.
Interviews are conducted with either the president or the Governors on the activities of government. During such interviews both masses and the opposition are allowed to query either the president or the Governor on certain activities of government.
The news media brings the knowledge of governmental activities to the masses, through the sense of hearing, seeing and reading. Without the mass media, the masses would hardly know about the activities of the government.
It has been properly stated that the executive and the legislature are adequately represented in the news media while the judiciary are occasionally covered.
Other Important Role of Mass Media
Mass media is perhaps important to note that the growth of any society depends on how the activities of government are brought out for constructive scrutiny.
Also, not all aspect of government action is subjected to the watch of news media for fear of enemies’ interest or the eyebrows of the international community.
The mass media only focuses on the activities that are more essential for the growth of the political, social and economic well-being of the Nation.
The role of news media to national life is to check on the activities of government and an inevitable means of growth in all arms of government. Little wonder the mass media is rightly described as the fourth estate of the realm.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the online media (internet) has over taken the print media in term of means of sharing information. All the Newspaper that are into printing of news on papers now has presence in the internet, because most young people prefer to read news online to going to vendor to buy a newspaper.
The internet world has made the sharing of information very easy, anybody can stay in comfort of his home and drop information about a particular thing, and before you know it, it has gone round the globe. That were the important role of mass media in a sate.
