THE ROLE OF MASS MEDIA IN A DEMOCRATIC POLITICAL REGIME

Abstract

In today’s world, where information is becoming more accessible and widespread, the role of mass media is growing more than ever before. Mass media influence our lives every day, shaping our view of the world, providing us with entertainment, and connecting us with others. The article examines the purpose, tasks, and functions of mass media in a democratic political regime. Characteristic features of mass media are: publicity; availability of special technical means; indirect, separated in space and time interaction of communication partners; nonconstant nature of the audience; predominant unidirectional influence from the communicator to the recipient. Mass media perform the following functions: informing, control, formation of public opinion, integrative, political socialization. The main goal of mass media is to quickly inform individuals, social groups of the population as a whole about events and phenomena in the world, a specific country, a specific region. Mass media in Ukraine face the following problems: some mass media in Ukraine are owned by oligarchs or political groups, which can lead to biased coverage and censorship; many Ukrainian mass media do not have sufficient funding, which makes them vulnerable to pressure from the authorities or business; journalists in Ukraine who investigate corruption or criticize the government are often threatened and attacked. Despite these challenges, mass media in Ukraine play an important role in preserving democracy and protecting human rights; The growing influence of social networks also presents new challenges and opportunities for mass media. On the one hand, social networks expand the possibilities for spreading information and attracting an audience. On the other hand, they also facilitate the spread of misinformation and propaganda.