"The media’s contribution to the creation and sustaining of functioning democracies and theirpotential to serve as a catalyst for human development provide the justification for UNESCO’smedia development efforts. Free, independent and pluralistic media empower citizens withinformation that enables them to make informed choices and actively participate in democraticprocesses. They can help enhance transparency and accountability, by facilitating dialoguebetween decision-makers and the rest of society and by exposing abuse of power. They alsoplay a crucial role in improving the public’s understanding of current or emerging issues, events,priorities, and policy pronouncements and options."
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