The role of the media in politics Flashcards
Give three examples of print media
- Broadsheet newspapers
- Tabloids
- Magazines
What is a broadsheet newspaper?
Usually seen as highbrow, they deal with weighty political debates and present information in a measured, if partisan, way
Give two examples of a broadsheet newspaper
- Daily Telegraph
- Guardian
What is a tabloid?
Populist newspapers that focus more on sensation and entertainment
Give two examples of a tabloid
- Mirror
- Daily Mail
What is a magazine?
Provide an important check on politicians by reviewing their actions and policies. Political and satirical magazines can inform high-level debates, produce detailed reports on political activity and scrutinise the work of politiciians
Give three examples of radio media
- News headlines
- Commercial radio
- BBC radio
What are news healines?
Every news station is obliged to give regular news broadcasts, normally on the hour, which include simple, impartial and informative headlines covering the main news items of the day
What is commercial radio?
A talk radio station can engage in political discussion and debate, like LBC in London
What is BBC radio?
Has many platforms for political discussion, with a number of flagship political programmes where hosts interview and challenge politicians and public perceptions, as well as phone-in showws that encourage political debate
Give four examples of TV media
- News broadcasts
- Party political broadcasts
- News channels
- Political programmes
What is a news broadcast?
Terresterial channels are obliged to air irregular and impartial news broadcasts, which occur at a set time and for a set duration
What are party political broadcasts?
5 minute broadcast slots allocated to parties at a set time. Strict regulations ensure all parties are given a fair and equal chance to influence public opinion
What are news channels?
Provide 24-hour news coverage, which can drive political events by raising public awareness
What is political programming?
Televised leaders’ debates, extended interviews with politicians and experts, discussion and debate over issues and public Q&A’s
Give some reasons why the televised leaders’ debates were important in the 2010 election
- Raised profile of Nick Clegg
- Cameron lost vital support
- Became the ‘main event’ of the election campaign and concentrated media attention
Give some reasons why the televised leaders’ debates were not important in the 2010 election
- Shifts in the polls were marginal after debates
- Don’t appear to have altered the result of the election
- Second and third debates had little impact and made few headlines
What are all broadcasters bound to do by law?
Remain neutral and offer balanced reporting of election and referendum campaigns. This means they can have no intentional influence on voting behaviour
What has the BBC been accused of?
A left-wing or liberal bias, although nothing has been proven or substantiated
Why is so important that legal neutrality is imposed upon broadcast media?
Because research indicates that TV and radio remain the main sources of information for voters in UK general elections
Which authority oversees televised leaders’ debates?
The Electoral Comission
What do we mean when we refer to the press?
Mainly newspapers, but also magazines and periodicals
What influences the political stance of a newspaper?
The political opinions of its powner and readership
What do the press tend to do to political views?
Reflect rather than lead them
What happened in 2017 that discredits the idea that the press has a large influence over how people vote?
Corbyn’s Labour party received 40% of the national vote, despite every major publication aside from the mirror opposing him
What makes Cambridge Analytica so controversial?
They have used people’s personal data to target and influence them into voting in a certain way
