It is a fact that in recent times public opinion plays a very important role in all aspects of our lives, be it social, political or religious. Conditions of our so-called modern life call for increasing attention of public opinion. Growth of secularism has brought more and more areas of life in the open which has resulted in influencing people to depend on public opinion rather than on divine law. Advanced industrialization has not only extended literally, it has also provided the technical facilities for mass communication thereby converting the whole world into a small global village. Urbanization has not only brought large audiences together, it has also created the need for communication within and between audiences, and among diverse social groups. The development of democratic processes has strengthened the public whose opinions count significantly. This has increased the social and political responsibilities of the communication media. It has also helped in compelling the decision makers to be accountable. Thus the importance of public opinion is very clear.
We are a witness to various issues which the government had to settle as per the wishes of the people only due to the public opinion. Some of the important issues where public opinion compelled the government to accept the line of thinking of the people are : ● The victory of Opinion Poll in 1967 when Goans rejected the merger of Goa into Maharashtra. It was because of that victory that we could retain Goa as a Union Territory and subsequently we were able to achieve statehood for Goa in 1987. The success of the agitation to make Konkani the Official Language of Goa in 1987. Indian states are created on linguistic bases and hence passing of the Official Language Act of Goa in February 1987 accelerated the formation of the full-fledged state of Goa in May of the same year ● Scrapping of the Regional Plan 2010 helped in preserving our environment to some extent and Withdrawal of Special Economic Zones (SEZs) from the Goan soil did not only saved us from clutches of the mighty industrialists and business sharks but also helped in saving the identity of Goa and Goans. All this was possible only because of the creation of a strong public opinion for/against these causes among the people of Goa.
It is very interesting to analyze how a public opinion is created. In olden times it was only the print media that helped in shaping a public opinion. However, the educated people only could participate in such a public opinion making process. Even today the same thing happens as far as print media is concerned. An individual reads in the newspaper in the morning the events of the previous day. The statements which he reads arouse in his mind sentiments of approval or disapproval, which may be strong or weak according to his previous preferences for or against the events reported. The interested individual then refers to other newspapers and gets more information about the issue in question. His sentiments and expectations are confirmed or weakened according to the views expressed in these newspapers. On his way to work, the individual discusses this issue with one or two of his friends and tries to find out whether they agree or disagree with his own point of view. The next day when he reads the newspapers and understands more about that issue, his mind is beginning to settle down into a definite view, which approves or disapproves a particular course of action reported in the newspapers.
In the meantime, a similar process has been going on in the minds of others, and particularly of the journalists, whose business it is to discover what people are thinking. They collect the opinions of various people and subsequently come out with more positive forecasts. Therefore the following day writings on the same issue become more positive in approval or condemnation. As a consequence, the opinions of ordinary minds, which have been hitherto fluid and undetermined, begin to crystallize into solid mass.
Today the process of creating a public opinion for a good cause has become very fast as well as very effective. Unlike in the past, the electronic media today reaches a very large section of the society in the state. The aim of influencing people, not only literates but illiterates too, for or against any issue can be easily and speedily achieved through the electronic media. The spread of education in every nook and corner of our state has also facilitated better understanding and critical reasoning of the issue in question. It is for these reasons that a small state like Goa has been served by a very large number of daily newspapers in different languages, relatively a large number of local TV channels besides hundreds of national and international TV channels. Hence there is no doubt why social and political activism in Goa should not be vibrant as compared to other parts of the country.
We live in a democracy. The citizens are the architects of democratic governments. In a democracy people elect leaders to govern them. Citizens repose their faith in their leaders to take decisions on their behalf. There are many examples where people’s trust is shattered by their elected representatives. Therefore it is very essential that every citizen has his/her opinion on issues that affects his future. It is more vital to express that opinion publicly and share it with others too. This can happen successfully if the print and electronic media give sufficient space / time for individuals to express their opinions.
Thus without the co-operation of the media the process of formation of public opinion is a difficult task. The print and electronic media have to play a very important role in encouraging the process of formation of public opinion. The citizens must take the benefits of the modern improved system of communication and express their opinions freely and fearlessly. Only a strong public opinion can help the society to bring in transparency and accountability in our present day system of governance.
(Tomazinho Cardozo is a former Speaker of Goa Legislative Assembly)
