Political communication systems and democratic values

Abstract

The American media system is presumably animated by certain democratic principles. Some of these concern the relationship of the mass media to government – for example, the proposition that, acting on behalf of the citizenry, the media should guard against abuses of power by officeholders. Others concern the relationship of the mass media to diverse opinion sources – for example, the proposition that the media should provide a robust, uninhibited, and wide-open marketplace of ideas, in which opposing views may meet, contend, and take each other's measure. Yet others concern the relationship of the mass media to the public at large – for example, the propositions that they should serve the public's "right to know" and offer options for meaningful political choices and nourishment for effective participation in civic affairs.