The Press Flashcards
What does ‘the press’ refer to?
We are mainly talking about newspapers, but it can also refer to magazines and periodicals. However these are seen as more of a review rather than setting the debate and agenda in the way that newspapers do
What did The Sun famously proclaim following the 1992 general election?
‘It’s The Sun wot won it’. They said this because of their relentless campaign against Labour leader Neil Kinnock, who would go on to lose despite his advantage in the opinion polls
What is the consequence of the press not being under the same regulation as broadcasters?
They are highly politicised
Which two factors usually determine the political stance of a newspaper?
The ownership and the political ideas of the readership
What do the press tend to do to the political views of their readership?
Reflect rather than lead them
Why is the idea that the press influences voters an illusion?
They tend to reinforce existing political attitudes; there is no evidence that they can change them
What is the greatest piece of evidence against the importance of the press?
Jeremy Corbyn’s Labour party received 40% of the popular vote in 2017, despite only The Mirror supporting them
State the headline published by The Sun before the general election in 1992?
‘If Kinnock wins today will the last person out of Britain please turn the lights out’
