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Cmu. 200

Cmu. 200. What is the role of the mass media in a democratic society? What do we need? want?. Democracy and Media. Democracy Demos = people Kratia = rule rule/governance BY the people depends upon information. media facilitate information flow. Idea of Democracy.

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Cmu. 200

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  1. Cmu. 200 What is the role of the mass media in a democratic society? What do we need? want?

  2. Democracy and Media • Democracy Demos = people Kratia = rule • rule/governance BY the people depends upon information. • media facilitate information flow.

  3. Idea of Democracy • People are intelligent • Generally, people make the right decisions • IF they have the right information • Wide array of information needed • Therefore: diversity, competing ideas • Truth emerges from debate

  4. How do media support democracy? • Surveillance What’s going on – because we cannot experience everything of importance to us. Examples of media surveillance? 2. Interpretation and Context Not just facts but a way to understand facts (through context, explanation, focus)

  5. First Amendment to the U.S. Constitution • Congress shall make no law…abridging freedom of speech and press • Special protection for the press • Thus providing rights, responsibilities

  6. The Role of the Media • Media active, not passive • Media should take an active role in interpreting, presenting information (e.g., what’s important, context, etc.) • Press should assure diversity, competition of ideas, creating or channeling friction • It’s the marketplace of ideas that allows self government • Premise: the more vigorous the debate, the healthier the society

  7. The Role of the Media, continued 6. Media are a watchdog on government 7. Error inevitable in debate So must tolerate some error 8. Tradeoff: error better than repression 9. Freedom of press: for the nation not just for the media 10. Safety Valve Theory

  8. Alternatives to Free Press: Government Censorship • Restrictions on what media can publish, show • Anti-democratic • Limits ideas, options • Often self serving (for those in power) Zimbabwe (see readings) Taliban? Elsewhere….

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