Topic: What is the role of State Media in a democratic Nation?
Within a democratic nation it is the mandate of the government and by extension every governmental organization to serve the collective interest of the people. Throughout the world and particularly in Trinidad and Tobago, we have seen the introduction of numerous private media companies, all contributing to public awareness but most importantly to shaping public sentiment and opinion with respect to domestic and international issues. These companies, although claiming to abide by the ethical statutes of media reporting and television broadcasting, do not only exercise the freedom to promote their own agenda (whatever it may be) but also to make a profit. The Media Houses of today depend very much upon advertisement revenues to the extent of which content is sometimes affected; never should this be the case with State Media. Furthermore, State Media is to be free from political interference of any kind; it is to be ensured that the collective interest of the people is placed before the narrow individual interest of politicians and other influential groups.
Contrary to the views of many, the primary goal of State Media is to create a level of awareness throughout the public with regards to government policies and to investigate and report matters objectively. It is to ensure as its main priority the promotion of its nation's culture above all else. Its agenda should consist of seeking the interest of the collective society by providing a forum for public discussion. A State Media Company's main goal should not be the generation of profit; if such is the case, its true purpose is not being fulfilled.
It was stated by one of the 'founding fathers' of the United States and former President Thomas Jefferson that "experiences hath shown, that even under the best forms (of government) those entrusted with power have, in time, and by slow operations, perverted it into tyranny." We are afforded within a democracy the freedom of speech and freedom of the press, it is necessary that such rights be fully utilized to ensure that Jefferson's statement does not in any way come to fruition. The role of both private and State Media is critical to ensuring that democracy is protected. Abraham Lincoln is quoted as saying, "Democracy is the government of the people, by the people, for the people." Elected officials are only the representatives of the people and it is the responsibility of the Media in this present age to be the guardian of public interest by ensuring that government officials are kept in check and faithfully adhere to their duties in office. Democracy requires the active participation of the public and the Media contributes to creating an informed and knowledgeable society equipped to make enlightened decisions.
However, some have argued that the presence of the State within the Media industry is obstructive and contributes little to democracy mainly because political interference may be too great. Nevertheless, the State consisting of the elected representatives of the society must have a stake within such an industry for the purpose of ensuring that the people themselves have a stake. As is the case within liberal capitalist societies multi-national media corporations (which hold great influence) have little obligation to the public, as one author puts it 'they answer solely to the gods of profit and loss' therefore, it is of paramount importance that through State Media the people of the nation are given a voice.
Within a democratic nation the State does not hold a monopoly over media operations (as in the case of totalitarian regimes) but rather becomes a competitor within the industry. With the freedom of the press being a fundamental characteristic of a democratic nation the State assumes the role of a competitor within an industry where competition is necessary. State Media's role is therefore not only to articulate government policies but to also function as a 'watchdog', not only against political corruption but anything that proves a threat to the well-being of society. An example of such is natural disaster. Nobel Prize recipient Amartya Sen proclaims that "A free press and the practice of democracy contribute greatly to bringing out information that can have an enormous impact on policies for famine prevention…a free press and an active political opposition constitute the best early-warning system a country threatened by famine could have."
Within a democratic nation where the government has limited control over the flow of information, State Media is supposed to contribute to the democratic process. The people are to be constantly informed of their rights and responsibilities as citizens. State Media is to provide an avenue for improved relations between the government and the public thus contributing to a greater understanding of one's place within his/her country.
With Trinidad and Tobago as an example, it is clear that State participation in the economy and various industries have been viewed as a safeguard against foreign and private domination. Dr. Eric Williams, considered to be the 'Father' of the nation of Trinidad and Tobago, propounds in his writings the need for State participation in the economy in order to protect national interest. He is quoted as stating, "The PNM perspectives reject both liberal capitalism (with its concomitant of penetration and take-over of the economy by multi-national corporations) and the communist organization of the economy and the society. Instead, we follow the pattern…of state participation in the economy to the extent of 51 percent in particular enterprises, to ensure that decision making remains in local hands." Such a policy laid out by Dr. Williams gives the reason for the presence of State Media and an explanation of its role. The role of State Media in general would be to promote and protect national interest; which includes the history, culture and mores of the society.
Within a democratic nation the role of State Media is sometimes negatively construed by those who support the prominence of private enterprise within the economy. However, State presence within the economy and various industries such as the Media industry is simply the manifestation of a government's commitment to its people, the expression of its desire to contribute to the democratic process by educating, informing and communicating with the public, thus ensuring that the citizenry body is fully equipped to make informed and knowledgeable decisions that would have great impact upon the direction of the nation.
