What is the relationship between the media and the government?

In democratic states the relationship between media and government is bilateral. Media, as it is sometimes called the fourth branch of power, media observes what is happening in the country and outside of it and then informs the society about relevant developments. The government, in its turn guarantees freedom of speech and thus freedom of media. For example, that it would not be pressured by large corporations.

Explanation:

In practice, even in democratic states, media is often heavily controlled by government, not always with need for coercion. That is why, there are such terms as pro-governmental media or pro-opposition media. The other issue, is pressure that media still faces from business entities.

In non-democratic states, media is used to showcase conditions in the country in the way that favors the government or support its political agenda. Independent media is often brutally silenced, prosecuted and ridiculed. For example, like in Russia or China.