Power and role of Media in our society

Introductory paragraph:
Media includes all the sources of information that reach to the masses directly or indirectly. Forms of the media include electronic media (TV/Satellite cable, radio), Print media (newspapers, Magazines) and the most famous these days’ i.e. social media…. In today’s world, media has become as essential as that of other basic needs of life. Today’s men need food, clothes, shelter and media/news for their survival. Media is considered as the mirror of society, it is believed to be the 4th pillar of state because it has potential to build the good image of a nation, and drive the views/opinions of public in desired way. It has capability to convert day into night, a night into day, a hero into villain, and a villain into hero. It has played a vital role in opinion formation. Media has lessened the distances, world has virtually turned into a global village. It seems now geographical boundaries exist no more as communication process has become easier worldwide. It just not provides source of entertainment but also plays role of educating the masses. Access to information and knowledge has become easier and cheaper. It has also shortened the cultural, economical and political differences since a click of remote control button is the way to travel across the world. Role of media remains debatable in every society. There are many things which are blessings of media but in conjunction with it, media has also been blamed for so many things which are adding to the negative social costs. Live coverage in warlike situations, bomb blasts and terrorists attacks have always risked the defense strategies for our soldiers and has also spread terror among people. Showing of Mutilated dead bodies on television is certainly not a mannered behavior. Terrorism is exposed to children even via this freedom of media now. Private news channels have further added into the mess by fighting on ratings of their channels, even in the terrorist attack kind situations, they celebrate for being first to telecast this news on TV. This is why one thing very much commented and debated is the freedom and role of media. Proponents of media freedom say media hasn’t been granted the full freedom as allowed in constitution. Opponents of media freedom say media has been given more freedom than what it have to be, as they do not think media has played any significant role in society. Moreover, it has also caused vulgarity in our society. Thus, media remains Important for presenting/pointing out the evils and goods prevailing in our society but it has certainly brought some negative and a few positive things.