by Rosemary Redfern

Created on: April 18, 2008

No. Democracy cannot flourish if media ownership is limited.

Democracy is government by people exercised either directly or through elected representatives'. It is a social condition of equality and respect for the individual within the community' (The Reader's Digest Dictionary).

To exercise the right to democracy an individual needs information and facts. Good decisions can only be made with all the information concerning the issue or issues available which can be weighed and considered with care. Without information and facts it is not possible to make a balanced judgment.

With limited ownership of the media, it is in the owners' interest to emphasize their beliefs and concerns and play down or ignore those of opponents. It is in the owners interest to maintain the status quo. Why change what works for you?

While it could be said that some members of the electorate are not sophisticated enough to recognize what is happening we are all fooled at times by how material presented to the public is manipulated. It is the function of the media to present their case and they are professionals. The spin put on information can change perceptions. There is power in the printed word, it seems to have value, and we tend to trust what well known journalists say. The media has us at its mercy because it is difficult to find all the information we need without searching for it and knowing where to search. We are also conditioned to trust it while we are wary of it. An interesting paradox.

Many people have neither the time nor the inclination to delve into the details of what they are being asked to vote for and frequently note headlines and lose the details. Immediately these people do not have access to what they need to know and what actually concerns them a great deal. They decide who to elect as their representatives without having enough information to make a choice. Clever word play and persuasive speakers can give emphasis which can distort facts.

The limiting of information then ignores the second definition of democracy that it is a social conditions of equality and respect for the individual in the community'. By representing the owners' viewpoint, the media are showing a complete lack of respect for the idea and spirit of democracy. The people are no longer in a condition of equality because they do not have all the information necessary to decide.

A third definition of democracy is that the people are considered as a source of political authority' (Readers' Digest Dictionary). Authority suggests power. The electorate only have as much power as they have knowledge. To know something informs. While some individuals feel passionate about certain political issues which will influence how they practice democracy, many others are turned off by the apparent dullness of politics. It used to be said that talking about sex, religion and politics were taboo in polite society. But everything is political.

Democracy is a belief, a philosophy, in the west. The power of limited media ownership should be curbed so that the electorate have full information and no bias.

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