the influence of media Flashcards
what is mass media
venues for messages that are created for consumption by large amounts of people
social media
in 2015- 79% of 18-24 year olds said they entirly rely on media for political info
concerns over fake news - manipulate the truth to make the story more interesting than it actually is
an example of when social media influenced voters
BREXIT - the leave campaign manipulated the media to focus on immigration issues
The coverage on it trippled over the 10 week leave campaign eg “Migrants cost Britain £17billion a year
Greatly supported by Nigel Farage and Boris Johnson
Many people subsequently put political and economical problems on migrants blame
how has mass media destroyed a politicians career
BORIS JOHNSON
the Mirror wrote about a social gathering in May 2020; they chose an opportune moment when Owen Patterson scandal was rife
The Daily telegraph said that there were two parties held in April 2021 - the night before Prince Phillips funeral
He tried to ‘ride out the storm’ being a former journalist himself he knew all about press’ cycles and how to distract them
He put great emphasis and focus on the success of the booster drive, covid cases falling
an example of how the media took their carrer to new heights
BLAIR
Allister Cambel was his press secretary and speech writer; he managed to win support from newspapers who were ‘anti-labour’ such as THE SUN
print media
significantly declined particularly amongst young people
however they still have influence such as ‘setting the agenda’ for the day’s news
media bias
broadcasters are expected to maintain impartial and balance in political broadcasting EG BBC
Newspapers and internet websites are under no such obligation
The Daily Mail
conservative newspapers
Most newspapers are con so people might be unintentionally reading them and have their political views shaped as a result unknowingly
EG 2015 ELECTION - right wigned newspapers attacked Ed Milliband for his personal presentation style
EG THE SUN - when it was right winged, they would claim victory for a tory win “it was the sun wot won it”
who are left leaning newspapers
The Guardian, The Sun and The Independent
negatives of tabloid press
focus more on scandals and allegations
the role of the media has increased which increases the pressure politicians are under to keep a good reputation
due to this extensive coverage, public often have a very negative view of politicians
media training x3
- delivering meaningless soundbites to avoid answering questions eg boris johnson saying “we are waiting for the sue grey report” any time anyone would ask him about party gate
- only appearing at carefully staged and managed events
-appear less like ‘real people’ (but when they do try it often goes wrong eg Sunak accidentally saying ‘i love coke’ to a group of teenagers despite him talking about coca cola which got more media attention than the reason he was there) - they appear less trustworthy
- attempt to spin stories
example of sunak not presenting himself as trustworthy
his speech as PM saying to ‘restore integrity’ in the gov then allowing Nadhim Zahawi to sit out and remain in gov whilst there were allegations and proof of him tax avoiding - people don’t trust sunak because of this
arguments to say that the media simply reinforces people’s already existing choices x2
- people tend to consume newspapers which already supoort their existing view eg party gate: for people who already didnt like bojo has this story to reinforce their distaste; media that supports their view is just common sense and anything that disagrees with that is bias
media cant be too outof touch with public opinion or this would effect their sales eg daily telegraph publishing 2 partys before phillips funeral because they knew the public love the royals so would pull at peoples heartstrings which gets more sales
argument to say that media has a big impact on peoples choices and views x 3
- they portray politicians in particular ways which effects how people think of them eg allister cambell getting support of right winged newspaper the sun
- social media exposes people to many views and opinions which may effect their own beliefs eg young people are very influential; fake news is oevr exaggerated eg brexit immigration
- the way politicians present themselves to the media effects how people think; heavily media trained; people dont see them as real people; meangilness answers eg sunak and Nadhim Zahawai
