How Does Mass Media Reflect a Political System Globally?

Each country has their own government whether that be a dictatorship, democracy, or a cross between the two. Government, regardless of what type has an effect on the mass media and how it functions in a particular country. In the United States the government protects the mass media through the First Amendment right of freedom of press and expression. Not all countries are as liberal as the United States when it comes to expressing the thoughts about the government. Government dictates what the media is and is not allowed to say in many instances.

The government in any country is extremely important and has the power to decide what is and is not appropriate. There are two dominant government forms which are authoritarianism and libertarianism. These two government forms are the basis for all other government types. Most authoritarian governments are more strict and keep a closer watch over the media and control what the media does and does not say. Libertarian governments allow more freedom to the media which in affect allows the media to influence the people to believe whatever the media does. Authoritarian governments want to keep the people under control themselves and do not allow the media the same freedoms as a libertarian government because that may stir unhappy feelings and cause for internal problems within the country.