1. Evaluate The View That The Influence Of The Media In Politics Is Exaggerated.

Question 1

P1: Influence on Elections Disagree

Answer 1

1. During elections, newspapers often strongly support a political party, influencing readers’ votes. The Conservatives won from 2010-2019 with press backing but lost in 2024 after losing support from major outlets like The Sun and The Financial Times. In 2017, the Daily Mail attacked Corbyn, urging voters to avoid Labour.
2. Media also plays a critical role in campaigns. Theresa May’s refusal to debate Corbyn in 2017 harmed her image, and key moments can go viral, shaping voter perceptions. In 2019, events like Jacob Rees-Mogg’s comments on Grenfell and the viral hospital photo drew attention but didn’t prevent a Conservative win. In 2024, Sunak’s early departure from D-Day commemorations damaged the Tories’ popularity.
3. Parties stage-manage their media appearances to control their image, as seen when Johnson avoided a tough interview with Andrew Neil in 2019, showing the media’s significant impact on election outcomes.

Question 2

P1: Agree Influence Over Elections

Answer 2

1. The media’s impact on elections can be overstated, as many voters form their own opinions and have strong party allegiances that the media cannot easily change. For instance, YouGov polling showed that 30% of The Sun readers and 39% of The Financial Times readers voted Labour in 2017, despite both papers backing the Tories. Similarly, pre-election polling by Best For Britain found that 52% of The Daily Mail readers and 47% of The Telegraph readers intended to vote Labour in 2024, despite these papers being conservative-leaning.
2. Moreover, most people consume media that aligns with their existing views, especially on social media, which reinforces opinions rather than changing them.

Question 3

P2: Disagree Holding Them Accountable

Answer 3

1. The media plays a crucial role in holding the government accountable. It exposed the Partygate scandal, leading to the downfall of the Johnson government, and uncovered the “freebiegate” scandal in 2024, damaging Labour’s reputation. Media interviews also highlight government failures, as seen with Liz Truss’ economic policies, which contributed to her resignation.
2. During COVID-19, the media became the main opposition source, and it also amplifies public and pressure group influence. The Post Office Horizon scandal, uncovered by investigative media, pressured the government to introduce a compensation scheme for wrongfully convicted sub-postmasters, demonstrating the media’s power in shaping public opinion and holding politicians accountable

Question 4

P2: Agree Insignificant When It Comes To Holding Accountable

Answer 4

1. Parliament plays a more important role in holding the government accountable, with programmes like Question Time. Allegations of bias, such as accusations against the BBC and Laura Kuenssberg for spreading fake news, including a false story about Labour activists pushing a Conservative advisor, undermine the media’s ability to effectively hold the government to account.
2. Additionally, many people pay little attention to politics outside of elections, limiting the media’s impact. The government also controls the news agenda, selectively favoring certain journalists. For example, in 2023, Home Secretary Suella Braverman invited only right-wing media, like the Daily Mail and Telegraph, to report on her controversial Rwanda visit, leading to biased coverage. The Telegraph ran supportive headlines, while The Guardian, relying on second-hand sources, published more critical takes. This manipulation of media coverage highlights how government control can limit the media’s role in holding the government accountable

Question 5

P3: Disagree Undermines Democracy

Answer 5

1. Large sections of the media oversimplify political issues, driven by the need for clicks. Newspapers change allegiances based on business interests and circulation goals. For example, The Sun switched between supporting Labour and the Conservatives based on political and business considerations.
2. This affects democracy as media owners, like Rupert Murdoch, wield significant influence over politics. Murdoch’s frequent meetings with Prime Minister Sunak illustrate the power media tycoons hold over politicians seeking favorable coverage.
3. Governments have increasingly made key policy announcements via TV studios or the press, undermining the role of Parliament in scrutiny. In 2024, Speaker Sir Lindsay Hoyle criticized Chancellor Rachel Reeves for revealing Budget details to the media before informing MPs.
4. For example, in late 2024, Elon Musk was criticized for calling Labour Minister Jess Phillips an “evil witch” and a “rape genocide apologist,” demanding she be jailed. These comments were made in response to a dispute over historic grooming cases.

Question 6

P3: Disagree Undermine Democracy

Answer 6

1. The media plays a positive role in democracy, providing essential checks on government power and bringing key political issues to the forefront. A free media is vital for holding governments accountable, especially when parliamentary opposition is weak. For instance, in March 2023, The Telegraph published over 100,000 leaked WhatsApp messages from Matt Hancock, exposing controversial decisions during the COVID-19 pandemic, such as face mask mandates being driven by political concerns rather than public health advice. This example demonstrates that even right-wing media can prioritize public interest and journalistic integrity, regardless of political leanings.
2. The rise of social media has further democratized the media landscape, allowing more people to participate in politics and diminishing the influence of traditional, biased newspapers. Newspaper circulation has declined significantly; for example, The Daily Mail saw a drop from 2.4 million in 1997 to just 736,000 in 2024. TV and radio coverage, especially from the BBC, is generally less biased due to its commitment to political neutrality.