In any liberal democracy, public opinion serves as a cornerstone of legitimate governance. It serves as a gauge of social values, influencing policy, lawmaking, and even the election of public officials.
- When collective public opinion reaches a critical point, governments are often forced to respond to the demands of the people.
By Shakil Kalam | Bangladesh
The subject under discussion comprises three parts: journalism, media, and public opinion. These three elements are inextricably linked. Therefore, in the contemporary liberal democratic framework, public opinion acts as a fundamental element in determining government policies, governance, development planning and implementation, the economic system, trade and commerce, inflation, people’s purchasing power, improvement in the quality of life, socio-economic conditions, the rule of law, good governance, human rights, freedom of expression, gender equality, women’s empowerment, healthcare, drugs, dietary habits, traffic systems, immoral activities, corruption, the plunder of natural resources by ruling or influential individuals, social movements, and political accountability. The ownership of newspapers, the freedom of journalists, and the free flow of information play a vital role in creating public opinion or public awareness.
Media is the Pillar of Democracy
The media is called the fourth pillar of democracy. Newspapers and journalism are the mirror of society—reflecting the socio-economic conditions of a nation. The media—electronic media such as newspapers, radio, and television, and digital platforms such as social media—play a key role in shaping, directing, and, in some cases, distorting public opinion. The media has been praised for organizing citizens, encouraging dialogue, exposing the evils of authoritarian rule, and ensuring accountability for government authorities. From the early printing revolution that spread the message of enlightenment, to challenging mafia regimes, to the modern digital revolution, the media’s ability to shape narratives and drive public consciousness is undeniable. However, with this influence comes responsibility—and its misuse or manipulation can have democratically damaging consequences. This analysis explores the various processes by which the media influence public opinion—such as their goals, objectives, planning, strategy, implementation, and achievement. These processes determine not only what the public thinks about, but also how they think and act.
Media in Liberal Democracy
In any liberal democracy, public opinion serves as a cornerstone of legitimate governance. It serves as a gauge of social values, influencing policy, lawmaking, and even the election of public officials. When collective public opinion reaches a critical point, governments are often forced to respond to the demands of the people. In this dynamic system, the media plays a crucial role, acting as a medium for the exchange of information between the state and society. Without an informed public, the very idea of democracy becomes meaningless, and it is here that the significance of understanding how the media shapes public opinion lies. The primary responsibility of the media is to inform the public and hold power accountable. From the early newspapers that advocated for freedom movements, to modern electoral systems and influencing elections, to television debates, the influence of the media has transcended technological and political boundaries.
Media’s Contribution to Shaping Public Opinion
Let us now shed light on the role and misuse of print, electronic, and social media. The character traits of a ruler are revealed in their mindset, character, intentions, knowledge of modern governance, generosity, morality, party command, establishment of control over leaders and activists, ability to use activists in a public-friendly manner, giving importance to public opinion, giving in or not giving in to flattery, and accepting or not accepting the advice of team members. These issues have a great impact on the governance of the state and public satisfaction. If the media can properly highlight the qualities or faults of a ruler, the people can make appropriate decisions about that ruler or governance.
A Comparative Discussion of the Two Governments
A comparative review of the two regimes in Bangladesh shows that during the rule of former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina from 2009 to 2024, the people of the country were unable to exercise their right to vote. In this case, print and electronic media did not play any important role. Furthermore, journalists were greatly influenced by politics—specifically, the ruling party and the opposition party. Pro-government journalists benefited financially by flattering the head of government. Moreover, they tried to corner the opposition by criticizing their movements and struggles. Some pro-government journalists and editors benefited financially. They obtained land plots, flats, radio and TV licenses, and development contracts from the government, took advantage of bank loans, and obtained illegal privileges by influencing various corporate institutions. In return, they presented the government’s misrule in a favorable light. Moreover, some journalists refrained from exposing the misdeeds of the ruling party leaders, activists, and ministers. They did not publish or protest against the murder, disappearance, killing, extrajudicial execution, or imprisonment of opposition party leaders and activists in their media outlets (which resulted from oppression and torture by various government forces). Again, the government’s law and order forces had become regime forces. Members of these forces suppressed opposition leaders and activists by not allowing meetings, processions, silent marches, or even human chains. During the 16 years of the then-government’s rule, six million leaders and activists were imprisoned, oppressed, and tortured in 125,000 fake and non-existent cases. Even government-controlled newspapers and TV channels did not publish any news about it or protest against it. However, some TV channels mocked ruling party members under the guise of talk shows. But there was no place for genuine intellectuals or people from civil society in these programs. At that time, there was no media for the opposition party. Under pressure from the government, opposition journalists were expelled from various media houses for their political affiliations or were fired. Then they were forced to live in inhumane conditions of starvation and half-starvation. Many spent time in dark prison cells. Additionally, countless people with opposing views were subjected to oppression and torture at the hands of various forces.
VIP Culture Has Changed
During the authoritarian period, a culture called the VIP Movement was introduced. During this time, vehicles and people would be stopped from moving on the roads for half an hour to an hour, and police guards would be posted at the head of each alley so that people could not walk on the footpaths. When the VIP left with their convoy, the road would be opened. Even though this created anger in the public mind, nothing could be done. If anyone protested, they would definitely be arrested by the police or elite forces. After that, extreme torture and oppression were inevitable. The current Prime Minister, Tarique Rahman, does not follow any such security protocol. He sits in traffic jams like a common man, thinking about the suffering of the masses. Sometimes he exchanges views with passersby, ordinary people, police, and army personnel on the streets, or inquires about the overall condition of the working people.
Independence of Print and Electronic Media
In fact, there was no independence of the print and electronic media during Sheikh Hasina’s autocratic government. However, in the current liberal democratic government, people are able to get information through 24-hour news broadcasts on electronic media and sensational news via scrolling tickers, so the oppressive management practices of the past are gradually fading under the current government. As a result of the publication of investigative reports on various corruptions by the print media, strong public opinion has developed against the government party or influential circles regarding sand extraction from rivers, hill cutting, and environmental pollution caused by deforestation. Moreover, as a result of the publication of research papers and articles on health, the sale of medicines without a doctor’s prescription in pharmacies, drug abuse, littering, and the consumption of sugar-laden sweets, fast food, junk food, and rich foods have been gradually decreasing. Therefore, it can be said that today, print and electronic media are no longer single institutions, but rather a collection of many voices and forms within these two mediums.
Merits and Demerits of Social Media
Social media has so many platforms, such as YouTube, TikTok, Facebook, LinkedIn, and Twitter (now X). Social media has both positive and negative sides. Truth, lies, misinformation, and disinformation are posted on various social media platforms. News posted on these platforms spreads all over the world within a moment, resulting in mixed reactions. There is little option for ordinary users to verify whether it is true or false, or whether it is fake news. This easily splits public opinion into two sides. Those who review the matter react in the way they want. When it comes to political issues, there is a lot of chaos between the two sides. In the first decade of the 21st century, social media played an important role in creating public opinion in the movements to overthrow dictators and establish democracy in the Middle East and North Africa.
Contribution of Social Media in Bangladesh
In Bangladesh, social media also played a significant role in shaping public opinion during the fall of Sheikh Hasina’s autocratic government. During her rule, the news of the rape and murder of college student Sohagi Jahan Tonu by army members in a cantonment initially created public outrage, but it could not erupt into mass protests. The true incident was not published in any print or electronic media. However, after the current government came to power, the case from ten years ago was reopened, and three army members were arrested on April 6, 2026, and brought under judicial process. During the tenure of the current government, on May 19, 2026, a man named Sohel Rana raped and killed a second-grade student, Ramisa Akhter. People from all over the country, including locals who first published this news on social media, erupted into protests. Law enforcement immediately arrested the accused, Sohel Rana, and his wife, Swapna Khatun, and presented them in court. Prime Minister Tarique Rahman visited Ramisa’s house and consoled her parents, saying that the perpetrators would be given the maximum punishment under the prevailing law of the country. The trial court sentenced the two accused to death within just 19 days, on June 7, 2026. The death reference is currently under consideration by the High Court. This is where the current government’s good governance and respect for the law can be seen.
Impact of Black Laws and People-Oriented Laws
In Bangladesh, various governments often enact black laws against the public interest to prolong their power. The “Special Powers Act-1974” and the “Cyber Security Act-2023” of Bangladesh are particularly noteworthy. These two laws were enacted to oppress people and prolong state power, but after much discussion and criticism in various media and platforms, including social media, strong public opinion was created against these two laws. After that, the government was forced to amend some sections and sub-sections instead of repealing the two laws. On the other hand, in the first decade of the 21st century, the trend of throwing acid on women increased greatly in Bangladesh. Again, in the second decade, during the marriage of girls, the bride’s father was bound to give a large amount of dowry to the groom, including money, gold jewelry, and furniture. During these two times, much news, reports, and research papers were published against it in various media, including social media. As a result, there was a lot of pressure on the government to take action against these immoral and criminal activities. Respecting public opinion, the then-government enacted the Acid Control Act-2002 and the Dowry Prohibition Act-2018. As a result of the proper implementation of the two laws, acid throwing on girls has almost stopped, and the tendency to give and receive dowry has also been greatly reduced.
Social Media’s Importance in Humanitarian Assistance
Many people apply for various kinds of help through social media, such as: the need for blood for medical treatment, the need for money to cover the education expenses of a poor child, the need for money to get a daughter of a poor family married, calls for help for people affected by natural disasters, and requests to find urgent medicines or products if they are unavailable anywhere. In politics, there is intense competition between parties to create public opinion. They post true/false or AI-generated facts on social media platforms. The rival party tries to spread any foreign demonic incident as having been committed by the workers of a party in Bangladesh. If a young girl or beautiful woman posts something, she is bullied by malicious users. Again, when an incident of moral lapse is committed by a leader or Member of Parliament of a party, the opposition party wants to gain political advantage by posting it. Recently, a senior parliamentarian from a religious idealist party recommended a sixteen-year-old girl for a job application. Later, the parliamentarian took the girl to a hotel for sexual relations and was caught by the public. Someone from the onlookers recorded a video and posted it on Facebook. Then, there was severe anger among the people across the country. After the truth of the incident was proven, the concerned party expelled him from the party. In this way, social media plays an important role in creating public opinion.
Conclusion
In light of the above discussion, it can be said that exploring the dynamics and trends of public opinion formation from a political science perspective is the main goal of this discussion. The primary objective is to analyze how different forms of media influence public opinion, the mechanisms by which this influence occurs, and the consequences for democratic participation and governance. This inquiry incorporates both theoretical and empirical methods, which provide insights into historical practices, current trends, and emerging concerns.
Read: Transformation Periods in Bengali Literature
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Shakil Kalam, born in Feni district in Chittagong Division of Bangladesh, received a Master’s Degree in Governance Studies from the University of Dhaka. Having also a diploma course on IAS and IFRS from the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Bangladesh (ICAB), he is known as a Central Banker, Corporate Governance and Internal Audit Specialist, Researcher, Poet, Translator as well as Child-Litterateur. He was engaged as an Additional Director in the Central Bank of Bangladesh. His book “A Handbook of Corporate Governance in Bangladesh” is enlisted as a reference books and taught in several universities including the University of Dhaka.
