Human Rights
Zimbabwe
NGO Forum
August 2016
Number 120 English
The role of the media
printed material. Although the use and
Introduction
reliance on print media has declined over
This bulletin explains the role of the media in a
the years, most people still read
democratic society. Media is the cornerstone of
newspapers.
any democracy. The term media is derived from
b. Broadcast media: These are news reports
the word medium, meaning mode or carrier. It is
broadcast via radio and television
intended to reach and address a large target
c. T h e I n t e r n e t : I n c l u d e e l e c t r o n i c
group or audience. Media influences society in a
newspapers and social media such as
number of ways. It is through the media that
facebook, twitter and cell phones.
society is kept updated and informed about
The role of the media
what is happening around them and the world.
In general media is responsible for information
Media plays an important role in a democratic
dissemination, education, entertainment and
society. It has been described as the 'Fourth
advertising. Over the years the media has
Estate', 'agenda setter', 'watchdog', 'force
evolved to become more active in shaping the
multiplier' and 'gatekeeper'. All these
social, political and economic lives of
descriptions demonstrate the influence of the
individuals and societies.
media in all spheres of life. The following are
some of the roles played by the media:
Types of media
There are basically three types of media namely:
§
Informing the public on what is going on
a. Print media: refers to the traditional or the
thereby creating and shaping public
oldest form of media that include,
opinion;
newspapers, magazines, books and any
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Building National Commitment Towards a Human Rights Culture