Media factor and Political Dimensions- An Exploration of Contemporary Indian Polity

Abstract

The media is formidable pillar of democracy. A democracy cannot function effectively lest it supported by media activism where a free media guide and encourage the secular societal plural values to possible betterment of mankind. The balanced media with objectivity is the utmost requisite for successful democracy in the contemporary times. Transparency in the elections is not only about the freedom to vote and the knowledge of how to cast a vote, but also about a participatory process where votaries engage actively in democratic process through debate, discussion and have adequate information about parties, policies, candidates to reach at a consensus in order to make suitable choices among the available options. In a nut shell media provide a mechanism for building opinion and wide accord among the voter where it acts as significant player to democratize elections, safeguarding the transparency of democratic process. In democracy elections in absence of media freedom is considered a contradiction to norms. India is the one of the vibrant practicing democracy of the world as we entered in the world of democracy, the role and responsibility of mass media got enhanced manifold. Nobody can doubt about the constructive role of ‘fourth estate’ of democracy in the Indian context. The paper primarily aims to examine the Media responsibility in democratic system of governance. The paper also assess media impact and electoral politics.

Key words: Media; Election; Democracy; Transparency; Political Dimensions.