Social Media is the Fourth Pillar of Democracy

“The moment we no longer have a free press, anything can happen. What makes it possible for a totalitarian or any other dictatorship to rule is that people are not informed.” – Hannah Andret.

Media makes us aware of various social, political, and economic activities around us. It is like a mirror that reveals to us the bare truth and harsh realities of life. A news media, be it in print form or TV/radio, its main job is to inform people about unbiased news without any censorship or tampering. People always trust actual and honest news.

But since the time social media has come into existence the meaning of sharing and creating has completely changed. The media can only put on editorial news leaving it for the public to make its assessment. At the same time, social media is a free space for people to have their assessments at their fingertips. Social media incorporates others’ opinions too, however contradicting the editor’s view might be.

The purpose of social media is to present news and collect all types of views from people. That way social media is always on the topmost list when it comes to creating hype and maintaining their credibility. Social media is considered to be two sides of the weapon.

Democracy is considered to be a rule by the people through their elected representatives. One of the merits of a democratic system is the freedom of expression and the space that is provided to disagreement by different sections of society.

For the democratic system to operate to its full potential, the participation on a part of the public is imperative, which successively needs circulation of reliable info to the masses on numerous public problems. This is where the era of social media comes in.

In any democracy, the weakening of pillars is always damaging. We need to reach the main trunk, to trim the vicious aerial roots that are spreading and poisoning society. To protect the pillars of democracy will not be an easy task in a current culture cracked by dissension and misleading information. It will require acumen and patience. Nevertheless, I believe that we will eventually restore our government on the rail to work for the public good based on rationality and honesty. As great Martin Luther King Jr. said “The ultimate measure of a man is not where he stands in moments of comfort and convenience, but where he stands at a time of challenge and controversy”.

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