The media has an important role to play in a democracy as the ‘Fourth Estate’; amongst others to expose injustice and wrongdoings and to provide a platform for debate and the exchange of ideas. A free, pluralistic and independent media, on all platforms, is important to facilitate good governance and transparency.
If the media in a country is not free, it will have an effect on other fundamental freedoms in a State. Thus, freedom of the press is an important pillar of democracy.
