Abstract: Since the twentieth century in reflections of the classical liberal theory of democracy the elitist theory of democracy, the pluralistic theory of democracy and the theory of participation in democracy all have developed their various understandings of democracy, including preventing autocracy and rejuvenating participation. According to classical liberalism, media has three roles, namely, information, representation and watchdog. Those theories of democracy have different understandings and demands of media, but on the whole they have not yet departed from the classical liberal theory of democracy.

Key words: democracy , elitism , pluralism , participation , media