Public opinion is the voice of the people in a country.
Vox populi Dei. (The voice of the people is the voice of God!)
Public opinion, a core- feature of a Democracy is imperative for its success.
Vibrant public opinion is necessary to keep the government and political party leaders in general alive to the needs and aspirations of the people and also to put them on good behavior,being well aware that they are under the keen observation of the people.
In fact, leaders take into account the public opinion when making laws and formulating policies.
Public opinion in the run up to a national election
Public opinion in the run up to a national election assumes greater importance as the government and the other political parties are keener on feeling the pulse of the people when they face an election.
Turning public opinion into sound judgement
Public opinion, as it is meant to influence the political decisions of political leaders should be sound and also reasonable.
Civil society actors, academics, and professionals have to play an active role in shaping public opinion into sound judgment!
Public opinion of the majority colored by ethnic and religious sentiments could eventually become a causative factor for 
disharmony and communal tensions in a country. Therefore, it is ideal ifpublic opinion in a democracy is free from sectarianism.
Majority opinion and minority rights principle
However, as it is the majority opinion that counts in the final analysis, the minority rights principle should be strictly practiced to ensure the decision by the majority does not impinge upon the fundamental rights of minorities!
It goes without saying thata socio-political environment where people are able to freely exercise their fundamental rightsand freedoms guaranteed by the Constitution is conducive for the free-play of public opinion.
Different mediums for
expressing public opinion
There are several mediums in a democracy through whichthe people give expression to their opinions. Electronic and print media, social media, civil society organizations and political parties are the main mediums.
Opinion polls ahead of
an election
Opinion polls on agiven public issue are another medium through which public opinion is gauged.
In fact, conducting opinion polls on various issues ahead of a national election is a common feature. Most of these polls are meant to determine the political party most likely to return to power at the pending election.
Suppressing media freedom on the pretext of enacting laws for maintaining law and order
People in a democracy naturally expect a government in power not to impinge on their right to express their opinion through any of these mediums available to them by any action, especially on the pretext of enacting a law required for maintaining law and order!
Activism by media actors
Those engaged in operating the mediums throughwhich the public opinion is usually expressed are also in a position to influence and shape public opinion and it is a role they are expected to play in a democracy!
For examples, journalists, civil society actors, opposition political parties and social media activists play a lead role in creating and shaping public opinion.
Governments looking on the media as a threat to their interests
Both print media and electronic media wielded such great influence in shaping the public opinion in Sri Lankan society until the advent of social media activism a few years ago, the governments in power had looked on these media as a great threat to their interests!
In fact, there is an unsavory recent past history of attempts by several governments as well as suspected government agents to suppress the media freedom resorting to both legal and illegal means.
Storming of TV stations and newspaper offices by political goons in readiness to harass and assault media personnel, and wantonly destroy valuable equipment, and intimidating, kidnapping and even killing media personnel account for the illegal means employed to suppress the media freedom.Incidentally one newspaper house was forced to shut down.
The takeover of Lake House – the Associated Newspapers Ltd. accounts for an instance of employing legal means to suppress media freedom!
Social media activism
The attention of those bent on suppressing media freedom seemed tohave turned to the social media when its activism began to make an impact on public opinion later.
Social media activism is the activity taking place on social media platforms like Facebook, Instagram, Twitter (X), and Ti Tok. These platforms enable easy sharing of photos, videos, news, and opinions.
The opportunity provided by the social media to share information and opinions on any political or social issue has paved the way for the formation of a powerful lobby on that issue within a short time.
Print media continues to occupy its place of importance
The rise of digital media as an effective channel of communication and as an opinion maker has not lessened in anyway the importance of print media in particular.
In fact, the rise of digital media has only accentuated the esteem and importance of print media as a source of credible and reliable source of information.
Content of print media is
trustworthy
The content of print media is trustworthy because it is published after being thoroughly vetted to ensure its authenticity and accuracy by professionals.
Besides, print media content is diversified to suit the different interests and tastes of readers and is presented in an organized pattern. For examples, very important news are presented on Page One. And the readers know through experience where to look for the editorial comment, feature articles, sports, or foreign news.
A rich resource for historians and scholars doing research
In fact, newspapers carry such a wide coverage of important events and viewpoints on topical issues, they serve as a rich resource for historians and scholars doing research on political and social issues.
Shaping public opinion to ensure the survival of Democracy
Therefore, print media in particular will remain as an indispensable source of information close to the hearts and minds of the peoples the world over, despite the phenomenal rise of digital media.
In fact, both print media and digital media will, no doubt, co-exist complementing each other for years to come, influencing and shaping public opinion to ensure the survival of Representative Democracy.
