The Significance Of Free Media To Democracy

A free media system independent of political interference is vital for democracy.As people need food,shelter and health care for their physical well-being,they also require unrestricted access to communications and information as part of their social participation.The public’s right to know is the core requirement of America’s free press philosophy and has been guiding the way it conducts itself.Yet,the natural monopoly property of media resources also renders the media industry prone to be manipulated by political and interest groups,thus constituting the defects of media freedom and demanding government regulation.However,a deregulation fever began to strike Washington in the late 1970 s.The curtain has been lifted and the stage set for a new wave of media ownership deregulation.To study the evolutionary process of American media regulation and deregulation prompts us to reflect on the relationship between American media and government,commercial benefits and public interests.In this process,the crucial importance of maintaining media independence in a modern democratic society is gradually emphasized.This paper aims to shed light on the major changes of policy concerning media regulation in the United States by arguing that media deregulation has a negative effect on media diversity and American democratic participation and probing into the economic and political climate of the American society of the time,hence providing us a deeper insight during media study and making regulation policies.