Influence of the media

Question 1

What are all broadcasters bound to?

Answer 1

All broadcasters in the UK are bound by law to remain neutral and to offer balanced reporting of election and referendum campaigns. This means that they have no intention influence over voting behaviour

Question 2

How many people watched the leaders’ debates in 2010.

Answer 2

An estimated 9.6 million people watched the first leaders’ debates in 2010

Question 3

How many people watched the leaders’ debates in 2015?

Answer 3

7 million watched the leaders’ debate on ITV in 2015 and a further 4 million watched on BBC

Question 4

How did ‘Clegg mania’ help his election campaign?

Answer 4

In 2010, ‘Clegg mania’ contribute to Liberal Democrats surging in the polls, up by 14 to 35%.

Question 5

How many people got their news from the BBC in 2017?

Answer 5

During the 2017 General Election, 60% of people said that they regularly got their political news from the BBC, which has a legal duty to remain impartial.

Question 6

In a study, how many respondents said their main form of new was TV?

Answer 6

75% of respondents in 2020 said that their main form of news was TV News Channels. That changed to 92% when the over 65s were asked and considering that this demographic are most likely to turnout during elections

Question 7

How many people do no trust the BBC in 2019?

Answer 7

In 2019, 44% of Britons said they do not trust the BBC to tell the truth despite the public charter to remain neutral.

Question 8

How many people trusted the tabloids in 2019?

Answer 8

Only 7% of Britons trusted the tabloids to tell the truth

Question 9

How many people tune into the BBC News at Six?

Answer 9

During the 2017 GE, the BBC News at Sixt attracted 5 millions - suggesting that the British public rely on TV broadcasting for their news

Question 10

In 2017, what percentage of people got their news from newspaper?

Answer 10

45% said they regularly got their political news form a newspaper, with the Guardian and the Daily Mail the most popular newspaper for the political news at 16% and 13% respectively

Question 11

In 2017, what percentage of people got their news from Facebook?

Answer 11

Only 15% repot that they regularly get their political news from Facebook

Question 12

In 2017, what percentage of people got their news from Twitter?

Answer 12

Only 8% report that they regularly get their political news from Twitter

Question 13

In 2017, what percentage of people got their news from Buzzfeed?

Answer 13

Only 4% report that they get their political news from Buzzfeed

Question 14

In ages 18-24 year olds, how many got their news from Social Media?

Answer 14

50% get their regular political news from social media.

Question 15

What is an ‘echo chamber’?

Answer 15

An echo chamber is when people only hear their own opinion as users usually follow this who think along similar lines

Question 16

How much did Labour and Conservatives spend on Targeted Ads?

Answer 16

In 2019, Labour spends £1,400,000; while the Conservatives spent £900,000

Question 17

Who did the Sun famously oppose in the 1992 GE?

Answer 17

The Sun featured Neil Kinnock, stating ‘IF KINNOCK WINS TODAY, WILL THE LAST PERSON TO LEAVE BRITAIN PLEASE TURN OUT THE LIGHTS?” The Sun has successfully backed every election winner.

Question 18

What newspapers back the Conservative party?

Answer 18

• The Times
• The Telegraph
• The Mail
• The Independent
• The Financial Times
• The Economist

Question 19

What suggests that the newspaper circulation is in decline?

Answer 19

In 2019, the Sun lost 12% of its readership and the Daily Mail 8%

Question 20

What percentage of Daily Telegraph readers support Conservatives?

Answer 20

79% of the Daily Telegraph readers support the papers’s preferred party (the Conservatives)

Question 21

What percentage of Guardian readers support the Labour Party

Answer 21

73% of the Daily Telegraph readers support the papers’ preferred party (Labour)

Question 22

What other factor did people claimed impacted their vote?

Answer 22

64% of all people in 2017 believed that family, friends, and colleagues had a strong influence on who they voted for.