Role of media in the 21st century

Quraitulain Qureshi

BS journalism

MA IR

Content writer for past 3 years

Role of media in the 21st century

The modern world of globalisation is witnessing both positive and negative media rules. However, despite some lakes, it is an essential tool for information, entertainment and above all current knowledge. It is rightly said that the media are the mirror of society. It shows the true face of society. Undoubtedly, the media played an important role in spreading liberal norms, Like democracy, respect for the value of human rights for ordinary people in the economy, politicians etc. It also works great in times of crisis to peacefully resolve a dispute. On the other hand, it can be equally dangerous if it plays a negative role. This was the reason for the fall of the largest empire in the past. It has the potential to lead the nation towards unimaginable wars. The 21st century is an amazingly media age. This gigantic world is limited to a global village. It caused the death of distances and the end of geography. It left no room for doubt that the lively, vigilant and energetic role of the media is the need of the day. No country can survive in this complex world of fierce competition without the media. That is why it is extremely an otherwise to deny the paramount importance of the media because of their negative role. Although, there is satanic power in the media his angelic roles trump. It's better to see a half cup than an empty cup.

Positively speaking, the media is a great tool for disseminating information and updating people. News of a truck killing of 12 people in Berlin or shorter firing at the Russian ambassador in Turkey can immediately spread throughout the world ,through the media. It is said that a person who is not kept informed about world affairs is like an animal who lives only to eat and sleep.

Philosophers, intellectuals and researchers emphasize the value of information. Undoubtedly, a man is blind without information. Indeed, it is the media that enable people to choose in different areas of life thanks to updated knowledge of world affairs. In addition, the media did not exist, a coup in Turkey would be the successor to the president Erdogan, gave the nation a message through the media and the attempted coup was thwarted by the power of the people. It is the media that gives political awareness and awareness. People learnt about political struggles, government projects, views, politics, etc and decide to support the party during elections in need. Today, all of Pakistan is consumed from the Panama paper box, dramas , surprising commission exports etc, because of the media. Contemporary Pakistan is more aware and more politically limited thanks to the glorious rule of energetic media.

In addition, the media are a factor of peace and harmony. It maintains the unity of the various fractions of the country. It works effectively against the forces of abbeys and dichotomy. Both political and religious the media highlight positive events and episodes too. Pakistan should be given as an example. The Pakistani media retained the integration of Pakistan. All four provinces are not administrative units, but actually ethinic units. However, the media did not allow them to divide by ethnicity. It also played a key role in maintaining religious harmony. It is therefore clearly right that the media propagates the message of peace and love. Moreover, it acts as a bastion against anti democratic forces. The example of Turkey's thwarted coup is tangible proof. There is no doubt that the entry of institutions creates unfavourable conditions for the survival of democracy. Neither the overly extensive system nor the overly developed system allowed for the development of democracy. This trend shifts discipline. It is said that democracy without discipline is meaningless. The Pakistani media has made huge sacrifices to restore democracy. And the role of Pakistani media as a defender of democracy is indeed undeniable.

The media also draw attention to the main problems and help in shipping policy. It operates the flagship carrier of peoples to development and well-being. Many talk shows, articles, editorials and other intellectual disposes point to cabs and delicate suggestions to correct these flaws. Government officials, bureaucracy, diplomats etc. They used the media as a roadmap towards formulating first class policies. The recently adopted act on combating rape 2016 are the fruit of a successful media campaign. It is rightly noted that the media are the Bible of statesmen.

In addition, the media retains the Nation's cultural Identity. Each nation attaches importance to its culture. That is why the media of each country play a huge role in protecting and promoting the culture of their own country. According to the American Idealist Joseph Nye, cultural propagation is the soft power of every nation. In this respect the role of the media is commendable.

Men's nature is that they want entertainment that leads a peaceful life. Yes, the media ensures others and fulfill their people's desires. In addition to media weapons such as Facebook, Twitter ,WhatsApp , several dramas, music, programs and other programs help man put aside his worries and enjoy the moment. These entertainment programs also contain lessons that are relevant in a social context. Healthy and fruitful entertainment gives people relief and teaches how to spend life with little tension. The role of the media as entertainment to indicate a soft image of the country abroad. That is why the media spreads happiness, laughter and love everywhere through their entertainment programs. It is unmistakably true that the media portrays a positive picture of a country in this world. News channels are sincere and sober with high professional skills, and the country enjoys a good amount of respect in the eyes of the world. The world's opinion matters a lot in this globalised world. That is why India is hell bent to deposit Pakistan the country which exports terrorism to the world . Not all that India is also subjugating some prawns against Pakistan due to the cricket last few days. Thus, no one can deny the media's power in this respect .

Indeed every picture has two sides, same in the case with the media, it can be equally deleterious, if it ignores its constructive role and plays as a popper at the hands of non-state actors. The biased approach of the media can sink the boat of its own country. Unfortunately, the division among different media groups can be observed in Pakistan. Different groups support different political parties as per this Maxim;

"The enemy of my enemy is my friend". Though, criticism is good for national leaders to avoid blunders, yet taking sides is not the job of a credible media. Deprive people of their freedom intl right ie. access to true information.

Woefully, this wanted role has become a profitable business for some media outlets perhaps, sensationalization for ratings has become a compulsory assignment for media. The family's quibbles about boxer Amir Khan or the fashionable dress of model Iman Ali consumed a big chunk of time in the media.

However, the matters of national importance are mostly sidelined because they are deemed less favourable for desirable ratings. Consequently, the media dents its own creativity in literature circles, while, hoodwinks illiterates excellency. Unfortunately, the 21st century witnesses this negative trend of the media.

It is a disturbing reality that the truth hurts many and pleases a few in this modern materialistic world. Media distortion truth magic leads to its favourite. It creates fantasies of oracle stories to meet their particular goals. It is undeniable that the media enjoys a great influence on the minds and hearts of people. This is in the very bones and blood of man that he dreams from those stories which are amalgamation of lies and truth.

Therefore, imaginative stories of movies and dramas are more popular than the real ones. The cinemas will be empty, if films are made on real stories. This is why the media mixes some interesting lies with true news stories to get the attention of more readers for viewers. A recent mounting wave of heated conflict between Pakistan and India exposed the media as a warmongering and propaganda spreading tool. The media, especially Indian, wrapped itself into the national flag and parroted on extremist narrative. It left no stone unturned to push its country towards the cataclysmic war.

Pakistani news channels were also not wholly holy in showing chauvinism. The Myopic anchors of both sides of the borders proved themselves professional war hawks. Knowing the incalculable damage of a horrific nuclear war between two neighbours, it was a fool hard to press the government for a strict action against the enemy. Thanks to God that temperature came down, otherwise, the negative or satanic role of the media would have destroyed the whole world.

In the same manner the chasm between state institutions has widened due to the negative role of the media. Samuel Hunting writes in his book "The clash of civilization" the third world countries are a lag far behind from the best because of the dysfunction of their institutions.

There is little doubt that strong institutions make democracy formidable and invincible. Whereas, the struggle for power among institutions within democracy is akin to signing a death certificate of democracy. Speaking from a Pakistani perspective, this enigma is a chronic one. There is unhealthy competition among institutions to assert their superiority by hook or by crook. The media plays a significant role to make matters worse because it thrives on crisis.

The media has joined fans or individuals organisations. Probably terrorists transferred honey money through the media to gain fame. Otherwise, what the media can achieve by praising them. The tragic incident with a Quetta hazara shia genocide proved to be a catalyst for the book of laws, and the nation sowed a number of vlaws is combat terrorism. The NAP has also appeared as an antiterrorism strategy. This twenty point agenda contained a clause stating that the glorification of terrorists by the media is one of the reasons for their wicked activity. Currently, the Quetta commission report honors the media face that it propagates the narrative of terrorists in Balochistan. Unfortunately, this is happening all over the world by unmarked media.

In addition, the modern world is slowly and gradually taking action for morality and ethics. Gone are the days when morality was a measure of the credibility of people or programs. Today, only Machiavellian politics and unethical practices have dominated the world. The media are also not lagging behind in this race. Unethical and immoral programs, news, talk shows etc. They are gaining popularity among people when national leaders use the words of insults , their fans follow them with a price. Similarly, a few days ago the PK-661 crashed in Havelian. The media circulated chilling images of the victims, bodies that were burned and torn to pieces. This unethical phenomenon is deeply rooted in the media.

As discussed in the previous paragraphs, the media protects the cultural identity of the nation. On the other hand, it can also pose a serious threat to cultural identity. In accordance with a realistic paradigm in international relations, a super power state disperses its culture to preserve its hegemony around the world. Today America is a superpower. The whole world speaks English, wears jeans, eats fast food , watches Hollywood movies and listens to jazz music. Men follow Michael Jackson and women follow Hillary Clinton or Ms. America. Men shave and women powder their faces with American cosmetics. This culture has reached this part of the world through the media. As a result, the nation retained its cultural identity.

Inshort, the whole discussion concludes that the role of the media in the 21st century is commendable. Regardless, it calls for many important reforms and improvements. One thing is clear that the media has become an insurmountable force today. All powerful forces had previously become powerless, the fourth pillar of the state. However, there are many obstacles that prevent the media from working freely and positively.

Healthy racism has a permanent role in building a strong edifice. Negative propaganda brings this edifice to ashes of failure. Thanks to true information, love and harmony, the media can put the nation on the blink of a glorious future.

Meanwhile, yellow journalism can be cancerous is a phenomenal media advance. We hope that the media become more mature and make the earth a safe place for people forever.