The fourth pillar

The role of the media as a watchdog has been on the decline lately. This is not only because of the media’s own clumsiness but because more and more politicians, leaders, organizations, and institutions in the public domain are becoming more secretive and consider themselves unanswerable, unaccountable, and, in many cases even, above the law. Some government functionaries refuse to answer media questions, and some demand a list of questions before agreeing to interviews. Some outright snub the questioner, be it a mainstream media journalist or social media activist or persons who consider themselves citizen journalists.

The mushroom growth of social media and unabated circulation of ‘fake news’ all around the world with no editorial controls have also undermined the media’s traditional role as the fourth pillar of democracy. At its best, the media can act as a catalyst for the smooth running of government affairs and a serious forum of monitoring and correcting the course of administrations and organizations. The time has come for the media to take back control and our leaders should become transparent and answerable to the public through their media interactions, where all should be given the right to ask questions and expect honest and clear answers.

Anas A Khan

Edmonton

Canada