Democracy and the Media

As a form of government that centers around the rule of the people, what is commonly referred to as liberal or Western democracy hinges on central tenets of open and free societies. One of these tenets is the freedom of expression and of the press. Independent media have the potential to inform citizens, hold truth to power, provide means of public participation, and empower people to make educated electoral decisions and leave their imprint on society. Illiberal democracies, authoritarian, or totalitarian forms of governance may tend to expand their control of (or even close down) existing media critical of ruling parties and put restrictions on freedom of expression. As of 2021, some contend that media are under attack not only in the realm of politics ...