Democracy does not stand upon three pillars alone. While the Executive, Legislature, and Judiciary exercise the formal powers of the State, there exists a fourth institution that safeguards the people from the abuse of those powers, the free press. Without an independent media, the other branches of government operate without scrutiny, accountability, or public oversight. [β¦] The post Silencing the Fourth Estate Threatens Democracyβs Very Survival appeared first on Lankanews.lk .