Volume 04 Issue 12-2024
108
American Journal Of Philological Sciences
(ISSN
–
2771-2273)
VOLUME
04
ISSUE
12
P
AGES
:
108-113
OCLC
–
1121105677
Publisher:
Oscar Publishing Services
Servi
ABSTRACT
This article explores the evolution and significance of electronic media in contemporary society, tracing its historical
development from the telegraph in the 19th century to the rise of digital platforms today. It examines how various
forms of electronic communication, including television, radio, and social media, have transformed information
dissemination, entertainment consumption, and cultural exchange. The discussion highlights the profound impact of
electronic media on public opinion, societal norms, and political discourse, as well as its essential roles in education
and socialization. Moreover, the article highlights mass media as “the fourth estate” in the government and
demonstrates the impact of it to the governance. Ultimately, it underscores the necessity of understanding electronic
media’s dynamics to navigate its complexities and leverage its potential for positive societal influence. The remarks
are exemplified on the basis of some countries.
KEYWORDS
Electronic media, policy management, categories of e-
media “fourth estate”, “watchdog”
.
INTRODUCTION
In the modern era, electronic media is an integral part
of everyday life, forming ways of human interaction,
communication and information consumption. From
the earliest days of broadcasting to the global reach of
Research Article
THE ROLE OF ELECTRONIC MEDIA IN GOVERNANCE: A MODERN
“FOURTH ESTATE”
Submission Date:
December 08, 2024,
Accepted Date:
December 13, 2024,
Published Date:
December 18, 2024
Crossref doi
https://doi.org/10.37547/ajps/Volume04Issue12-19
Zokirova Shakhzoda Nodirjon qizi
Uzbekistan state world languages university, The teacher of the department of teaching English language
methodology №2
, Uzbekistan
Journal
Website:
https://theusajournals.
com/index.php/ajps
Copyright:
Original
content from this work
may be used under the
terms of the creative
commons
attributes
4.0 licence.
Volume 04 Issue 12-2024
109
American Journal Of Philological Sciences
(ISSN
–
2771-2273)
VOLUME
04
ISSUE
12
P
AGES
:
108-113
OCLC
–
1121105677
Publisher:
Oscar Publishing Services
Servi
the internet, electronic media has experienced
significant changes affecting society norms and global
information flow.
Electronic media refers to any form of communication
or broadcast transmitted by electronic means. This
broad category includes television, radio, internet and
social media platforms. Over the years, these media
forms have evolved to be tools that reflect
technological progress and changes in consumer
behavior.
According to a Russian scientist A.V. Kazakova,
electronic media is an electronic resource created to
perform the functions of the media, with a reputation
among a certain audience. It should be noted that
many scientists include not only websites, but also
television and radio broadcasts among the electronic
media.
The origins of electronic media can be traced back to
the late 19th and early 20th centuries, the advent of
telegraphy, as well as radio and it can be associated
with the further development of television. According
to an American scientist
C. Jones, the roots of electronic media can be related
to the 19th century invention of the telegraph by
Samuel Morse, one of the earliest pioneers, which
enabled
to transmit long-range messages.
These early forms of electronic communication made a
revolutionary change in the ways in which people
received news and entertainment, eliminated
geographical barriers and made it possible to
disseminate information in real time. At the end of the
20th century, the invention of the internet further
accelerated this process and ushered in a new era of
digital media, which continues to develop rapidly.
In turn, the discovery of radio in the early 20th century
paved the way for the public use of audio content.
However, the advent of television has truly
revolutionized electronic media. The first successful
demonstration of the television system took place in
the late 1920s.
By the middle of the 20th century, televisions had
become simple household appliances that had a
significant impact on how people perceive information
and entertainment. Television animated images and
sounds, eliminating the difference between distant
events and viewers. It played a decisive role in the
formation of public opinion, the spread of political
speech and culture across borders.
The role of electronic media in the culture, politics and
daily life of society is very wide-ranging. Politician and
analyst Sh. Nawaz recognizes the main role of
electronic media as its informal or general and
educational impact. Media platforms such as
educational television programs, documentaries and
Volume 04 Issue 12-2024
110
American Journal Of Philological Sciences
(ISSN
–
2771-2273)
VOLUME
04
ISSUE
12
P
AGES
:
108-113
OCLC
–
1121105677
Publisher:
Oscar Publishing Services
Servi
online educational resources provide educational
content that improves learning and expands
knowledge.
In addition, Turkish scholar E. Zinreich has cited the
socializing effect of electronic media, which helps to
convey social norms, values, and beliefs, shaping our
perceptions of acceptable and unacceptable behavior.
World researchers and a number of scientists classify
electronic media into two categories. In particular, I.V.
Zhilavskaya cited the division of media into two
categories according to their evolution, namely
traditional and new media. Despite the criticism that
the term “new media” in the media world is too
relative and vague, it has spread widely. We are more
likely to turn to newspapers, television and radio,
which were formed during our traditional culture, and
in contrast to them, new media emerged in the era of
universal digitization, virtualization, and multimedia
technologies.
Traditional media refers to established forms of
electronic communication that have existed since the
early 20th century. This category includes television,
radio, and to some extent print media (when
distributed electronically, such as in PDF or e-books).
Traditional media is typically characterized by one-way
communication, where content is produced by media
companies and received by the public without much
interaction between the two.
Today, electronic media, along with their many
advantages, also exhibit some negative characteristics.
We can understand them in terms of misinterpretation
or misinformation, privacy issues and cyber threats,
and cultural homogenization, that is, the process of
changing or absorbing local cultures by a dominant
external culture.
In most developed countries of the world, including
the United States, Russia, the United Kingdom, France,
Germany, China, India, and etc. the media have risen to
the fourth level of power in the government. These
states consider mass media to be an integral branch of
democracy and a major force in ensuring the
implementation of new reforms. It primarily plays a
major role in public policy management.
With the help of the Internet, television, radio,
newspapers and magazines, every day a huge number
of people around the world receive information about
events taking place in different parts of the globe. It is
worth noting that the task of the media is not only to
cover any events, but also to influence the emotions of
the audience - often published messages can be
evaluative in nature, focusing the public's attention on
important moments, from the point of view of the
authors, thereby “helping” people (often not even
understanding the impact on them) to form an opinion
about a particular incident through the use of various
speech techniques and other methods .
Volume 04 Issue 12-2024
111
American Journal Of Philological Sciences
(ISSN
–
2771-2273)
VOLUME
04
ISSUE
12
P
AGES
:
108-113
OCLC
–
1121105677
Publisher:
Oscar Publishing Services
Servi
The scientist emphasizes the influence of media on
international relations in the USA in sufficient detail:
“They (the US) have achieved the creation of a system
that
provides
information
support
for
the
implementation of their national priorities in every
corner of the globe... The White House not only creates
and maintains its image, but also influences the news
policy of other states, forms information occasions
(i.e., it publishes events that influence the
development of consolidated public opinion in a
certain area, in a way that is favorable to the US)6.
The influence of the media at the national-political level
is still significant is shown by a survey by the Mainz
scholar and media specialist Hans Matthias Kepplinger.
He conducted a study among members of the
Bundestag who see the media not as the fourth, but as
the first power in the state. Thus, the survey among
members of the Bundestag showed that they
collectively rate the degree of influence of the media
on politics at 8.18 points on a scale from “0” (no
influence at all) to “10” (very great influence). At the
same time, the influence of politics on the media is
rated at only 5.32 points.
Additionally, we are currently aware that the media has
a great influence on the process of government activity
and a number of measures are being taken to
transform it into the fourth power in the Republic of
Uzbekistan as well. The following words of our
President Shavkat Mirziyoyev are evidence of our
opinion in this regard:
“... Today, communication with people, living with
their dreams, aspirations, pains and anxieties are rising
to the level of state policy, we can achieve the goals we
have set ourselves only if each mass media becomes a
real platform for communication, a platform for free
thought”, because “Presently, as we strive to
strengthen cooperation with countries far and near in
the world and further deepen democratic changes in
our country, we understand well that we still have a lot
to do in the field of mass media activities, along with
other areas. The mass media must rise to the level of
the “fourth power” not in words, bu
t in practice. This
is the demand of the time, the demand of our
reforms
”.
The concept of the “fourth estate” refers to the role of
the press and mass media as a critical component of
democracy, serving as a check on power and providing
information to the public. Different countries have
varying perceptions of this role, influenced by their
political systems, cultural contexts, and historical
experiences.
According to historian-publicist Sh. Salomov, the
“Powers’ separation” system in each country’s
government primarily indicates the legal form of
democracy in that country.
Volume 04 Issue 12-2024
112
American Journal Of Philological Sciences
(ISSN
–
2771-2273)
VOLUME
04
ISSUE
12
P
AGES
:
108-113
OCLC
–
1121105677
Publisher:
Oscar Publishing Services
Servi
The me
dia is often called the “fourth estate”. In fact,
there is no such authority in the official system of state
governance. This is because the media does not have a
command mechanism or authority to correct
someone’s mistakes.
For example, if an organization does not pay people
their monthly salaries, deviating from the Labor Code,
or someone breaks the law, the mass media cannot
punish them, nor can it issue an order to correct the
mistakes. The press can only draw the attention of the
legislative, executive, and judicial authorities to a
problem, issue, or event.
Although the term “fourth estate” is a lyrical term that
expresses the extent to which the press can influence
public opinion in society, it can and has the right to
draw the attention of each of our compatriots to the
political and social processes taking place in society
and arouse a sense of involvement in it.
The ideological role of journalism, precisely, mass
media which is designated by the term “fourth estate”,
on the one hand, is expressed in the effect of a
“watchdog”, ensuring the integrity of the government
and protecting the interests of the public. This means
that journalists investigate, report on, and hold the
government accountable for its decisions and policies.
The idea is that by shining a light on government
activities, the media can help prevent corruption and
ensure that officials act in the best interest of the
citizens. On the other hand, the news media have
become an independent institution of political power,
the ideological basis of the concept of soft power.
It is worth noting that the impact of electronic media
on society is widespread and complex, presenting a
mix of opportunities and challenges. On the one hand,
their emergence and development have democratized
access
to
information,
strengthened
political
movements, and facilitated cultural exchange. On the
other hand, it has also contributed to the spread of
misinformation, raised privacy concerns, and led to
cultural homogenization.
CONCLUSION
In conclusion, electronic media has become an
essential component of contemporary life, influencing
how individuals interact, communicate, and consume
information. Its evolution from the telegraph to
modern digital platforms illustrates significant
technological advancements and shifts in consumer
behavior. The profound impact of electronic media
extends beyond mere entertainment; it plays a crucial
role in shaping societal norms, political discourse, and
educational opportunities. As society continues to
adapt to these changes, understanding the dynamics
of electronic media will remain vital for navigating its
complexities and harnessing its potential for positive
societal influence.
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Volume 04 Issue 12-2024
113
American Journal Of Philological Sciences
(ISSN
–
2771-2273)
VOLUME
04
ISSUE
12
P
AGES
:
108-113
OCLC
–
1121105677
Publisher:
Oscar Publishing Services
Servi
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