by Alex Kee

Created on: April 17, 2008

"Yes", and an absolute "Yes", but only in the context and prerequisite of a real democracy: democratically elected government by a totally free and fair, one person one vote electoral system that practices, upholds and even protect a free press and other forms of mass media.

For any real and viable democracy to thrive, the essentialness of the necessary check and balance systems on all forms of power and the people's freedom to vote in and vote out the government of their free choice without fear and misrepresentation, cannot be over emphasized.

Assuming there already exist, the rudiments of a free and fair electoral system where governments are voted in and can be voted out on a regular predetermined time scale basis, a free media that is able to provide that supportive level of check and balance to criticize all forms of power without fear or favor, will go a long way in ensuring the avoidance of the abuse of power and corruption.

The question of whether media exposes on government abuse will lead to reform is out of the question, because it definitely will, that is if the expose gets publish in the first place, which, more often than not, in many despotic and tyrannical government domains, never see the light as they get squashed under the heavy despotic hands of the tyrant(s).

Any savvy politician operating in a real democracy knows the value and impact of positive media coverage and for political survival through the polls will do all possible to avoid any negative media cover, hopefully by doing or at least appear to do the right thing, every time and all the time.

In a true democracy where all stations of powers are under public scrutiny through a multi-faceted system of checks and balances: opposition parties, NGOs and even the free press, no government will deliberate want to risk the scorn of public opinion brought about by an expose in the press.

Will any media expose on the government lead to reform? You bet it will, otherwise the exposed government will be changed in the next election, if not sooner, by public opinion and popularity.

In my mind, for any real democracy that is worth its value beyond its name, it must have a press that is free, this is the acid test.

Any democracy that even call itself a "Democratic Republic" (and by the way, they usually are not when they deliberately spell out what they claimed they are)is no democracy if their press is anything but free, open and fair to comment and scrutinize the affairs of the state and any other centers of power.

The Media is the mouth piece and watchdog of the people, it keeps people in power in check so as to avert the possible abuse of power.

A free Press ensures a transparent government and not only will her expose on government abuse lead to reform, it will help prevent the abuses in the first place, as politicians, knowing they cannot act with impunity will be more retrospect and not be wanton in excesses.

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