In a television advertisement for an Indian channel, Abhishek Bachhan says, mobile phone controls his life. It might not be of that magnitude, yet for many our lives are now dependent on gadgets of connectivity, like the mobile phone, than ever before. Since mobile telephony, email, messaging system etc. facilitate connectivity, they can be seen as forms of media. After all, some of the main roles of the media are to inform, relate and connect. Like the media, they also create a platform where people can communicate and engage in a dialogue. From that perspective, various forms of connectivity, like the mobile telephony, email, social media etc. are tools to ensure pluralism, as dialogue is a pre-requisite for pluralism.
There are many definitions of democracy. However, for the sake of argument and clarity if we look at it from an intuitive point of view, then 'democracy' can be defined as a socio-political arrangement whereby peoples' voice determine the path followed by the institution which govern them. The use of the term govern is intentional to underline the transformation of the states from being entities which were ruled to those which are being governed in modern times. The concept of majoritarianism also follows from the intuitive definition of democracy as it is the view of the majority which determine the path of the government.
It is through the elections that the people or the electorate convey their messages. However, elections do take place only at regular intervals, may be after four or five years. In the interim it is the media, which acts as a messenger for the electorate. It does so by informing the people - so that they can make the most informed decision. The media has a role in upholding transparency and accountability of the people in power. It is through this mechanism that the media brings to light the issues which are essential for the electorate in order to make the most informed decision. Finally, the media also acts as a platform of communication between the government and the governed. So we see the media as an important tool to ensure democratic governance.
So far the media was confined to journalism, initially print and then through different electronic forms like the radio, television and finally online. Now the sphere of media has been extended even further with the expansion of the modes of communication. The advent of citizen journalism, has bestowed upon each and every citizen the role of journalist to ensure accountability and transparency. The social media, on the other hand, has liberated the media from the confines of only a few, i.e. journalists. Thus the likes of the Facebook and the Twitter have actually socialised and democratised the media.
Earlier, the content of the media was determined by a few and the powerful wanted to see and show things as they wanted to. Now the agenda and content of the media are determined not only by the powerful but also by the ordinary people. The Arab Spring is a testimony to the power of the social media and the energy it generates. This energy in turn empowers the ordinary people and makes sure that their aspirations and wishes are taken into cognizance by the powerful and the policymakers.
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