LEGISLATORS AND THE MASS MEDIA

In: The Parliamentarian: journal of the parliaments of the Commonwealth, Band 71, Heft 2, S. 119-120

Abstract

THE LEGISLATURE HAS BEEN ACCORDED A SPECIAL POSITION AND ROLE IN PARLIAMENTARY DEMOCRACY. LEGISLATORS CLAIM THE RIGHT TO VOICE BOTH THE CONSCIENCE AND THE CONSENSUS OF SOCIETY. HOWEVER, BECAUSE THEY CANNOT POSSIBLY INTERACT DIRECTLY WITH THE WHOLE OF SOCIETY, LEGISLATORS MUST USE INTERMEDIARIES--THE MAJOR ONE BEING THE MASS MEDIA. THIS HAS BROUGHT THE LEGISLATORS AND THE MEDIA TO A POINT WHERE THEY ARE INDISPENSABLE TO ONE ANOTHER. INDEED, THEIR ROLES ARE COMPLEMENTARY.