Media and Influence

Question 1

What is public opinion?

Answer 1

Public opinion refers to the views people hold on issues that affect their lives and community.

Question 2

How do politicians gauge public opinion?

Answer 2

Politicians often use surveys and opinion polls to find out what the public thinks.

Question 3

What methods do groups use to influence public opinion?

Answer 3

Groups use protests, stunts, and demonstrations to attract media attention and influence public opinion.

Question 4

How can individuals express their views to the public?

Answer 4

Individuals can write directly to newspapers to get their message across or start their own campaign.

Question 5

What online methods can be used to influence public opinion?

Answer 5

Websites like change.org can be used to start online petitions.

Question 6

What role do ‘spin doctors’ play in government?

Answer 6

‘Spin doctors’ tailor the government’s message to make it more appealing to voters.

Question 7

What additional support do politicians use to enhance their image?

Answer 7

Politicians have stylists to make them look better.

Question 8

How is social media used by the government?

Answer 8

Phones and social media are increasingly used by government to spread their message through ‘likes’ and online pages.