Essay: To what extent is the media democratic democratic?

Question 1

Themes

Answer 1

• Social media
• TV/newspapers
• Opinion polls

Question 2

Social media

P1 – democratic

Answer 2

• Elevates pressure on the govt – partygate – many leaked photos on twitter
• MPs on social media – allows constituents to see what their MPs are doing
• Journalists – increased use of

Question 3

Social media

P2 - not democratic

Answer 3

• Huw Edwards – liked pro-Labour post
• Groups use it to spread misinformation – to bolster their cause
• Leave.EU – fake videos of migrants

Question 4

TV/newspapers

P3 - democratic

Answer 4

• Not influencing voters – TV debates – Clegg came off best – but lost seats
• Newspapers – only confirm existing views – people read newspapers based on their views
• OFCOM – regulate
• BBC Charter – Maitlas
• BBC - Elections broadcasts – allocated based on previous results

Question 5

TV/newspapers

P4 - not democratic

Answer 5

• The Sun wot won it
• Naga Munchetty
• Channel 4 – allegations of anti-Brexit, anti-Tory bias
• Corbyn – claimed news misrepresented when he stood for in 2017 2019
• GB News + TalkTV

Question 6

Opinion polls

P5 - not democratic

Answer 6

• 1992 – boomerang – showed labour taking early lead by 2% - encouraged shy Tories to vote Conservatives
• 2015 – polls failed to predict election – saying it would be hung parliament – knock-on effect – altered results
• Misrepresentation in polls – usually the most politically aware

Question 7

Opinion polls

P6 - democratic

Answer 7

• Don’t force people to vote in a particular way
• Apply pressure on govt – people can exhibit views about govt – knock-on effect in by-elections
• Boris dropped in polls