Why media is called as the fourth pillar?

Answer 1

Media is called the fourth pillar due to important role of media in shaping public opinion. In turn, public opinion is the ultimate check in the checks and balance system designed to ensure equal and balanced authorities between the three branches (pillars) of government, namely: Executive (apply the law), Legislative (write the law), Judicial (interpret the law). The media can be seen as an equally important pillar to this balance because its role is to ring the alarm bells in cases of abuse of power, corruption etc. A further way of keeping the system honest.

The notion of governmental separation of powers is first associated with the work of French thinker, Montesquieu.