Question 4
Outline five reasons for which the media is referred to as the fourth pillar of democracy.
Observation
This was a popular question. The performance of candidates that attempted the question was good as they understood the demands of the question. However, candidates are to provide the following points in order to score good marks.
- They offer political education to the people
- They disseminate information on both national and international issues to the people
- They assist in interest articulation and aggregation
- They help in protecting and defending the rights of the people
- They help in protecting minority group interest
- They help to prevent dictatorship in governance
- They help in agenda setting
- They check and expose corrupt practices
- They help in ensuring free and fair elections
- They help in the formation of public opinion
- They encourage and enhance political participation
- They serve as a link between the government and the people
- They assist in the formulation of foreign policy and the promotion of national interest
- Serve as channel for the ventilation of grievances
- Means for mobilizing the people for development
- Preaches against vices and ills of society