How does mass media reflect a political system globally?

Mass media reflects a political system globally because the government is the institution that can either control or allow for the freedom of the press. “The world’s nations and media systems can be measured on a scale of media freedom” (Vivian 420). There are typically two types of government, authoritarian and libertarian. Authoritarian is typically governments who run a tyranny, also known as a dictatorship. In these nations, the government is seen as infallible, which places its policies beyond questioning by the media. “The media’s role in an authoritarian society is subservience to government” (Vivian 397). The mass media is reflected in this sentiment with pre-publication censorship, which means authorities preview material before dissemination, also they believe that anyone who goes against the government is reporting based on falsity. A libertarian government however allows for freedom of the press. The United States is a libertarian government and under the First Amendment people have natural right that they should be guaranteed which includes freedom of speech and press. A political system that rules under libertarianism believe that the press should have free reign as long as it does not interfere with international security, like the release of defense strategies. Mass media is reflective of the political system implemented in a society because its freedom is determined by the government.