Page |1
Contents
Article No.
Topics
1
Media
2
Mass media
3
Principles of mass media
3.1
Media is the Fourth Estate
3.2
Watch-dog Role of Mass Media
3.3
Mass Media is to Inform and to Educate
4
Governance
4.1
Good Governance
4.2
Role of Media in ensuring good governance
4.2.1
Participation
4.2.2
Transparency
4.2.3
Accountability
4.2.4
Increasing Efficiency
4.2.5
Equity and inclusiveness
4.2.6
Assisting Consensus oriented decision making
4.2.7
Protecting rule of law
5
Expected actions of mass media for good governance in
Bangladesh
6
Conclusion
Page |2
1. Media:
mhe word media is the plural form of the word medium. They are Latin in origin. Medium means an
agency or means of doing something. In other words it can be called as means, method, way, form,
agency, avenue, channel, vehicle, organ, instrument or mechanism.
If we go for a broader definition of media then we can say that the intervening substance through
which impressions are conveyed to the senses or a force acts on objects at a distance.
2. Mass media:
Mass media means a series, collection, or aggregation of medium through which mass people can be
reached. It include all forms of information communicated to large groups of people, from a
handmade sign to an international news network.
3. Principles of mass media:
Mass media has some ideal functions that can ensure good governance in a state, although the
functions are not being practiced or maintained in every country but more or less these are similar in
the democratic countries. These principles are:
Media is
the Fourth
Estate
Mass
Media is
to Inform
and to
Educate
Watchdog Role
of Mass
Media
3.1. Media is the Fourth Estate:
Media is called the fourth estate. Liberal theories stress the importance of an independent fourth estate
as a check on the abuse of power. Media systems strengthen good governance and promote positive
development outcomes most effectively under two conditions:


Where channels of mass communications are free and independent of established interests
and in addition
Where there is widespread of diffusion and flexibility of public access to these media.
The ‘fourth estate’ has traditionally been regarded as one of the classic checks and balances in the
division of powers.
3.2 Watch-dog Role of Mass Media:
Mass media plays the watch-dog role for the governing system of a country. Mass media keep an eye
on the government and on those involved in governance, highlight policy failures, maladministration,
corruption, and scandals.1
3.3 Mass Media is to Inform and to Educate:
1
Chapter 1 in Pippa Norris. 2001. Digital Divide: Civic Engagement, Information Poverty and the Internet
Worldwide. NY: Cambridge University Press.
Page |3
A free, accountable and vibrant mass media disseminates information, informs the public and policy
maker alike, creates space for diverse views regarding socio-economic and political processes, and
increases people’s scope for democratic participation.2
4. Governance:
The concept of "governance" simply means the process through which decisions are implemented (or
not implemented).3 According to World Bank booklet reports in 1992, governance is the "manner in
which power is exercised in the management of a country’s economic and social resources for
development".4 Simply "governance" means: decision making and implementing process (Moore
2001). Governance implies the ways through which citizens and groups in a society voice their
interests, mediate their differences and exercise their legal rights and obligations. Government is the
main actor among other actors in governance, and civil society plays an important role thereby.
4.1 Good Governance:
In general sense good governance means an ideal governing system that is inevitable for political,
economic, social and cultural development of a country. According to International Monetary Fund
(IMF) Good governance is- “ensuring the rule of law, improving the efficiency accountability of the
public sector, and tackling corruption.”5 Good governance is a form of governance that represents
eight specific characteristics, and can be seen as an ideal of governance. According to V. K. Chopra,
Good governance embodies processes that are “participatory, consensus oriented, accountable,
transparent, responsive, effective and efficient, equitable and inclusive, and [which follow] the rule of
law”.6
partici
patory
equitab
le and
inclusi
veness
respon
sivenes
s
Good
Governanc
e
transpa
rent
accoun
table
consen
cus
oriente
d
follows
rule of
law
effecti
veness
and
efficie
ncy
Diagram: Characteristics of Good Governance.
2
Mohammed Iliyas,The Power of Media to Ensure Good Governance, September 24, 2010, Thinking Youth
Blog.
3
http://www.unescap.org/huset/gg/governance.htm
4
Khan, M.M., "Urban local Governance in Bangladesh: An overview", Journal of Administration and
Diplomacy, Vol.4, No.1 Jan-Jun, p.2, 1996.
Merilee S. Grindle, Good Enough Go ernance ‘e isited A ‘eport for DFID ith reference to the Go ernance
Target Strategy Paper-2001, Harvard University, February 2005.
6
Chopra, V.K., "The mirage of good governance", towards good governance, eds; chopra, S.K., Konark
publishers Pvt. ltd. Delhi-110092, p.32, 1997.
5
Page |4
4.2. Role of Media in ensuring good governance
4.2.1 Participation
Greater participation is crucial for good governance in two ways: greater participation by citizens in
the decision-making process allows greater transparency and can help ensure that political decisions
are adapted to the needs of the people affected by them. Second, greater participation is important for
democratic legitimacy, which depends on the investment people have as citizens in their own
governing.
The role of independent and pluralistic media in fostering participation is critical as the media report
on aspects of the decision-making process and give stakeholders a voice in that process. The
electronic media provides a discursive space for debate and expression of views to the polity for
political actors that are not available within mainstream political institutions.7
4.2.2 Transparency
Transparency is widely recognized as a core principle of good governance. Free access to information
is a key element in promoting transparency. Information, however, must be timely, relevant, accurate
and complete for it to be used effectively.8
4.2.3 Accountability
Accountability refers to "the obligation or willingness to accept responsibility or to account for one's
actions."
Free mass media create an informed polity that is more prepared to hold their elected representatives
accountable. In addition, an effective mass media also provides policy makers and governments with
information which are vital to addressing a nation’s policy and development needs.9
4.2.4 Increasing Efficiency
Mass media enable the people to be informed about the government functionaries to operate
efficiently and effectively. It aims to put an end to inconsistent government practices and helps in
establishing a responsive state. Good governance requires that processes and institutions produce
results that meet the needs of society.
4.2.5 Equity and inclusiveness
Media plays a very remarkable role for a society in promoting the equal rights for everyone. The well
being of a society depends on ensuring that all its members feel that they have a stake in it and do not
feel excluded from the mainstream of society. Mass media can provide voice to those marginalized
because of poverty, gender, or ethnic or religious affiliation.
4.2.6 Assisting Consensus oriented decision making
7
Ibid.
V. K. Parigi, Dr. P. Geeta, Rameesh Kailasam, Ushering in Transparency for Good Governance, Centre for
Good Governance, Hyderabad, India.
8
9
Irum Shehreen Ali, Governance and the Media, The State of Governance in Bangladesh 2006, Centre for
Governance Studies, BRAC University, Dhaka, Bangladesh.
Page |5
There are several actors and as many view points in a given society. Good governance requires
mediation of the different interests in society to reach a broad consensus in society on what is in the
best interest of the whole community and how this can be achieved. The media can also help in
building peace and social consensus, without which democracy is threatened.
4.2.7 Protecting rule of law
Good governance requires fair legal frameworks that are enforced impartially. It also requires full
protection of human rights, particularly those of minorities. Impartial enforcement of laws requires an
independent judiciary and an impartial and incorruptible police force.10 Where the rule of law is weak
and the judiciary is unable and unwilling to defend press rights corruption level is higher in those
countries. This is a big challenge against good governance in a country.
05. Expected actions of mass media for good governance in Bangladesh
Though there are lots of challenges, mass media have definitely widened the space for public debate
on various issues. Some measures can be taken to make mass media more effective for ensuring good
governance.
Firstly, mass media should overcome the barrier of getting information. Thus, they can create public
pressure on the government so that government cannot hide any important matter in the name of
official secrecy or state security.11
Secondly, we should think some alternative to overcome the challenge of concentrated ownership.
Thirdly, Experts say that although this may be called yellow journalism and may seem as individual
rivalry, but there may be a little truth. By bringing the news into public account a space for debate will
be risen and public will demand the truth.
Fourthly, government should ensure safety of the journalists by enacting strict laws and implementing
them effectively.
Fifthly, journalists should move to more investigative and embedded journalism. They should not
only report about policies made but also investigate about the implementation or non implementation
of the policies. In many cases too much subjectivity cannot bring any good result. So, mass media
should be objective to ensure good governance.
06. Conclusion
Mass media is essential for democracy and good governance. The role of mass media plays in
Bangladesh is not sufficient for the purpose like ensuring good governance. At present it is being said
that journalists of different mass media houses are being provoked to “abuse, misuse but bring the
breaking news” to increase their audience and fame. But, it doesn’t mean that mass media always
provide fake news. In fact, mass media have, in spite of their faults and lacking, working as peoples
parliament and widened the scope of public debate and discussion. But, this sector needs a massive
restructuring and reorganizing in order to ensure good governance in countries like Bangladesh.
10
11
http://www.unescap.org/pdd/prs/ProjectActivities/Ongoing/gg/governance.asp
Muhammod Zahangir, Anonna Prokashoni, February 2006, page: 40-41