Transitional Journalism: The Midwife of Democracy The reality, however, is that the media in Nigeria and Britain do not always live up to the ideal. Strict laws, private property, and sometimes the threat of alternative forces connect them. The media are supposed to help shape public opinion, but they are in turn just as confusing and evolving as they are new and revolutionary. However, the media can also play an anti-democratic role; they create a feeling of fear, division and violence among the population. Instead of promoting democracy, they may contribute to its decline. This article examines the impact of media convergence on democratic governance, reflecting on the power it gives citizens to use information to make informal political choices. Democracy requires the active participation of its citizens. Udogu, a prominent figure in the broadcast community, said poor dissemination of education and information was partly responsible for the failure of leadership in emerging countries. Thus, the function of news media should keep citizens engaged in matters of authority by informing, educating, and mobilizing the public to participate in the democratic process. In many new democracies, print, Internet and television are the preferred media; because they are cheaper and more accessible. The exchange of information offers greater chances of contributing to the maintenance of a more pluralistic political organization. For all its profound complexities, mass media expands the public sphere and, generally speaking, welcomes more participants to engage independently in debate and discussion about politics. For example, the news media in Nigeria remained stagnant throughout the democratic process in the West African country...... middle of article...... conclusion, democracy operates as a system of consensus and equal majority rule that depends on public cooperation. It is the role of the media to constantly engage and unify the public by providing them with information and educating them on topics of great importance. Although democracy functions differently in developing countries such as: Nigeria and in established countries such as: Britain; no true democracy can function without a sense of freedom of speech and freedom of the press. Think about it, freedom of the press is based on freedom of expression which is an important aspect of citizen participation in the affairs of the country. The British population is proud to accept media involvement in their country as a form of progress. The press can play a useful role, but it would be a mistake to accept that it alone can really make a difference in matters of democracy..