The Influence Of The Media

Question 1

Winning elections: the media Vs parties
Media DOES influence
Yes!

Answer 1

✅1)The public gain most of their information from media; very few read
manifestos e.g. 28% of young people cited social media as their main news source
✅2)The power of the media, whether papers, TV or social media, continues to grow e.g. 24% TV coverage as main news source alone
✅3)The winning party at the 2015 and 2017 elections was supported by the majority of the press e.g. involvement of the Daily Mail and Sun as well as social media for Corbyn’s campaign

Question 2

Winning elections: the media Vs parties
Media DOESN’T influence
No!

Answer 2

❌1)the public make up their mind from many media sources e.g. Newspapers, Television, Social media
❌2)People don’t like to be contradicted - they choose media that agrees with them. E.g. The Guardian (typically Labour, iNews typically Conservative)
❌3)Issues that dominate elections come from parties e.g. brexit deal, article 50

Question 3

Disillusion and apathy

Answer 3

A process of disengagement
with politics leading to a
decline in political activity,
particularly in voting.

Question 4

Opinion poll

Answer 4

A survey of public opinion from
a sample of the population at a
given moment. They are often
used to determine the
expected results of an election.

Question 5

What is included in media?

Answer 5

Newspapers, Television, Social media

Question 6

Television has come to dominate political debate. In 2010 the election leaders debate was watched by just under how many viewers?

Answer 6

10 million

Question 7

There are strict laws governing political broadcasting on TV and radio to ensure fair representation of all parties. What is an example of one of the points Ofcom states?

Answer 7

-Coverage of parties during the election period must be fair and appropriate

Question 8

Newspapers aren’t under what?

Answer 8

Obligation. Most national newspapers, except The Guardian, iNews and the Mirror, support the Conservatives

Question 9

What % of young people cited social media as their main news source. Compared with 24% for TV?

Answer 9

28%

Question 10

So does the Media really influence voters?

Answer 10

• Newspaper choice and social media ‘bubbles’ tend to show that people choose sources they agree with
• The actual influence media can have on the outcome of elections is uncertain but exceptions such as the Sun in elections such as 1992, 1997, 2010. Siding with the winning candidate
• But this could be misleading as when they claim influence, it might be reacting to existing trends (obvious of Blair victory)