CHAPTER
ONE
1.0
Introduction
1.1 Background
to the Study
Access to information is essential to the health of democracy for at
least two reasons. First, it ensures that citizens make responsible, informed
choices rather than acting out of ignorance or misinformation. Second,
information serves a “checking function” by ensuring that elected
representatives uphold their oaths of office and carry out the wishes of those
who elected them.
In some societies, an antagonistic relationship between media and
government represents a vital and healthy element of fully functioning
democracies. In post-conflict or ethnically homogenous societies such a
conflictual, tension-ridden relationship may not be appropriate, but the role
of the press to disseminate information as a way of mediating between the state
and all facets of civil society remains critical. Buckingham, (2000).
