The Role of Media

The Role of Media - Essay Outline

1. Introduction
2. Positive and negative roles
3. A full-fledged industry
4. Media boom
5. Conclusion

Media - A Double Edge Sword

The main ways of information and entertainment television, newspapers, and the Internet are called media. The media is a double-edged sword; it can work positively as well as negatively.

Media creates social and political awareness

In its positive role, the media is an important source of information and news. What happens around the world is shown instantly right on the TV screens. The new-found role of media has also provided it a chance to create social and political awareness among the masses, thus making people aware of their social, economic, and political rights. It scrutinizes the government working both in domestic and foreign affairs and as such is a watchdog over the government policies. Moreover, media has become a source of revenue. The print and electronic media together earn around Rs. 20 billion every year, while the industry as a whole provides employment to over 150,000 people.

Reshaping the Public Opinion

Today, popular TV anchors discuss analyses and scrutinize government policies. They set the agenda and they form the public opinion. These anchors discuss and debate major political issues in their prime-time broadcasts (8-10 pm) when most of the people are glued to their TV sets. Therefore, a handful of TV anchors dominate the public policy debate, often promoting sensationalism based on ungrounded speculations and unfounded theories. However, some anchors are more balanced and suggestive of government policies.

Therefore, the media in any country plays both a positive and negative role. Whether this role will be more effective and constructive in shaping the nation will depend on the level of maturity, experience, professionalism, and training in the media.

Seeing the tremendous boom in the media, a growing number of people are eager to join the media industry. The growing role of media has enhanced the importance of disciplines like mass communication journalism.

Media in Pakistan

The government has also announced the establishment of a media university to meet the growing demands of professional education and training. With these measures, it is hoped that media in Pakistan will have more maturity, responsibility and professionalism in near future.

Over the years, the Pakistani media has seen many ups and downs in its growth and progress but the media boom in the beginning of 21st century has presented tremendous opportunities and challenges. In its very brief life, private electronic media has played an important and effective role in national politics. It has been bold, proactive, vibrant and penetrative both for the government and public. However, it is still young and lacks professional training, maturity and responsibility. Nonetheless, given its potential role, it would be an important source of positive and constructive socio-economic and political change in the country.