7. The Role of the Mass Media-The mass media deserve to be called the fourth branch of power because of their influence on public opinion and public consciousness. The media in any society have at least two roles: as a chronicler of current events; and as an informer of public opinion, thereby fostering different points of view. Often, the mass media tend to minimize coverage of events and organizations of interest to women. The media do not adequately inform the public about the rights and roles of women in society; nor do they usually engage in measures to promote or improve women’s position. Most of the world’s media have yet to deal with the fact that women, as a rule, are the first to be affected by political, social and economic changes and reforms taking place in a country—for example, they are among the first to lose their jobs. The fact that women are largely …show more content…
The political context, in all countries, women need to be able to compete on a level playing field with men slowly and gradually the picture is changing. In many cases the illiterate, tribal and Dalit women are emerging as role models also. There are an umpteen number of women Sarpanch across the State setting the examples that a woman in spite of being illiterate and from a tribal background, who has never, came out of her veil and her responsibility of a homemaker can handle the administration of Panchayat successfully.
Among the indicators of success of women’s participation in politics are the following:
• The introduction of political, institutional and financial guarantees that promote women’s candidacies to ensure the equal participation of female nominees in electoral campaigns;
• Designing legislative regulations for implementing effective quota mechanisms;
• The creation of educational programs and centers designed to prepare women for political