THE ROLE OF THE MEDIA IN PROCESSES OF DEMOCRATIZATION AND CONSOLIDATION

We are specifically interested in how previous research investigated the process of making and circulating media content, the relationship between governments, citizens and the media, the collective roles of the news media, the effectiveness of the watchdog, agenda-setting and gate-keeping roles of the news media, the growth of the broadcast electronic media, and the explosion of popular participation in the production and circulation of online news. Overall, there appears to be clear evidence of the significant impact that the explosion of online content, the crucial role of the media in processes of democratization and consolidation, and the transformative potential of new forms of media participation have on the practices of media consumers, the media’s ability to contribute to democracy or good governance, and the empowering of the audience in digital media.