Influence of media Flashcards
Broadcast media neutrality
-By law, all broadcast media is required to remain neutral and offer balanced reporting
-Done through Ofcom, BBC editorial guidelines, The Communiations Act 2003
Concentrated Media ownership
83% of the newspaper market is controlled by just three companies: Rupert Murdoch’s News UK, the Daily Mail’s General Trust and Trinity Mirror
-In broadcast media, over 80% of the national audience share goes to Murdoch and the BBC
BBC
-Most popular source of news in the UK
-63% of people say they trust the BBC’s coverage
LSE Analysis
A study of language in BBC’s coverage of the Brexit referendum found that the BBC’s use of language tended to favour Brexit supporters
Media Reform Campaign Study
-A 2017 report by the MRC argued that the BBC’s coverage of economic policies disproportionately reflected the viewpoints of the Conservative government, while agreeing that the BBC’s coverage tended to favor Brexit
Arguments that televised leaders’ debates make an impact
-May’s refusal to take part in 2017 diminished her standing, drew criticsm, strengthened Corbyn and made her look weak in comparison, One feature of a dismal campaign which saw the Conservatives lose their majority
-After Clegg’s very strong performance in the first leadership debate 2010, the LibDems jumped ten points in the polls
Arguments against the impact of televised leaders’ debates
-A study by Professor Patrick Seyd and Professor Paul Whiteley (Uni of Essex) suggested that televised debates in the 2015 election did not significantly affect voting behavior, people had already made up their minds.
-Despite Clegg’s sterling performance, actual election saw a decline in the popular vote for the Lib Dems
The press
-The majority of newspapers support the Conservative party, more apparent than broadcast due to lack of laws regarding neutrality
-Conservatives were surprise winners of the 1992 general eelction, The Sun newspaper famously proclaimed on its front page the next day, It’s the Sun Wot Won It
Impact of newspapers
-Beyond endorsements, newspapers also shape election outcomes by framing issues in certain ways
-The way newspapers cover key issues can significantly influence public perception. Negative coverage can erode support, while positive coverage can boost it
Popularity of the press
-Newspapers vastly less popular than they used to be, only 11% of adults getting their news from newspapers in 2024, diminishing further when only account 18-24 year olds. However, for people aged 65 and over, newspapers are still important
-Often times, newspaper journalism is a source for broadcast and social media
2019
-BBC ensured parties that equal airtime but not necessarily equal coverage
-News agenda focused on Brexit, taxes and immigration, issues which favoured the Conservatives. Labour struggled to be heard on what it wanted to talk about – healthcare and the environment.
-BBC programming highlighted unfounded allegations of antisemitism against Corbyn over those of Islamophobia in the Conservative Party
Social Media
-Open medium, hard for any party to gain a special advantage
-Unregulated, little scrutiny or accountability
Hutton Enquiry
-2003
-September Dossier emerged as “evidence” for Iraq’s WMDs
-David Kelly, a senior official in the Ministry of Defense had killed himself
-Hutton Inquiry alleged that the September Dossier was inaccurate
-Media such as the BBC played a large role in spotlighting this event
Daily Mail November 2016
“Enemies of the People” headline in the Daily Mail decrying supreme court judges who decided only parliament could decide Brexit
John Major Administration
Media played a large role in exposing the ‘sleaze’ scandals such as extra-marital affairs and ‘cash-for-questions’
