What is the institutional importance of media debate and civil-society monitoring in policy-making?

Correct answer: They create public-accountability pressure outside formal institutions

The correct answer is A. Formal institutions include bodies such as the legislature, executive, and courts, but democracy also depends on public discussion and social oversight. Independent media can report policy details, question official claims, compare promises with results, and bring neglected problems to public attention. Civil-society organisations, researchers, community groups, and citizens can collect information, represent affected people, and monitor implementation. Their criticism does not automatically cancel a policy, replace constitutional procedures, or give them power to pass laws. Therefore B and C are wrong: media and civil society cannot substitute for the President's constitutional assent or Parliament's law-making role. D is wrong because monitoring strengthens democratic checks rather than ending the judiciary. Memory cue: public scrutiny informs citizens and makes authorities answerable.