Political Science

In relation to politics, media goes by several names to describe their role vis-a-vis politics and society -  gatekeeper,   scorekeeper, and  watchdogs.  They serve as the mediator between the politicians, more often the ones who run the government and the citizens whom they both serve.  Ideally, media, also known as the Fourth Estate, is by nature above politics considering it is their duty to document and report the truth they way they see it unfold right before their eyes.   This is carried out either by print or broadcast media.  Print media is done mainly through newspapers and broadcast is through television, radio and even on the Internet.  Both of them fulfill the role of airing the truth to the public and they virtually accessible to everybody.  Reporters and correspondents from both forms are always present during press conferences to document the events to report.  The difference is broadcast media has the edge in the sense that they get the news out very quickly and in real time thanks to the camera crews that accompany the correspondents while print media need to file reports at their head office and have these reports published the next day.  Another edge broadcast media transmits the words of the respondents themselves directly to the audience where as print media had to pass on these words.
    In their role as gatekeeper, the media acts as a filter or screen.  They set agendas and filter issues to ensure balance (Bratic and Schirch, 9).  There are certain things that media can and cannot release or disclose to the public.  Not everybody in the world shares the same sentiments or might react negatively to certain truths.  One example of this was the aftermath of outrage created when a Danish newspaper showed cartoons on the Prophet Mohammed which angered conservative Muslims all over the world and incited them to violence.  Since then, media has realized that in order to avoid political repercussions, it is prudent to omit certain facts to maintain harmony.  Another example of media playing role of gatekeeper is when they would host and mediate debates of politicos during elections.  They would be the ones who would serve as facilitators and screen questions coming from the audience to ensure that the proceedings will remain civil.
    As scorekeepers, their role is very evident when there are elections.  They keep track on who is leading the race in elections, such as the 2008 Presidential elections where media, such as CNN constantly kept track on the electoral campaign starting with the polls taken prior to the elections to the elections returns on the day itself.  In addition, the media takes the pulse of the public through polls and surveys determining the popularity rating of leaders.  They serve as the conduit of the public to the government, serving them their  report card  to remind them what they are doing well and where they need to improve.
    As watchdogs, they serve as guardians of the people from abuses from the government and they make sure those in government do their jobs well.  This is true during elections in some countries where media oversee election proceedings to ensure that elections are fair and honest and eliminates the possibility to cheating because the world is watching.  Another is their investigative capabilities make them expose irregularities and abuses committed by the government that takes the responsible ones to task and resulting in the removal of said officials.  It is in this role that media also bear the brunt of suffering and several have lost their lives fulfilling this role such as the case in the southern Philippines recently where several members of the media were killed while observing a local candidate prepare for an election.
    All in all, media plays a significant role in relation to politics.  Their role as impartial observers serve to protect by providing another check and balance to the powers of the government and to ensure that those in power will act responsibly and for the public to be aware of what their elected and appointed officials are doing to ensure that the votes they cast were not wasted.