...One standard academic argument is that the media’s influence operates in terms of framing issues and setting the agenda for political discussion. In other words, the media tells us what to think about but not what to think. People form opinions from the information that is available. If that information is limited in some way, those opinions will be affected. Generally, the media have greater influence on undecided voters than on decided ones. They also have a greater influence at times of scandal or crisis, or when there is a highly polarized question driving an election. An example of that is the free trade federal election of 1988. It seems that when voters are undecided and when they are operating from an information deficit they seek out the media. Therefore, when a high proportion of the electorate is undecided, the media play a greater role. The media exerts influence during elections in many ways. The very basics of today’s campaigns are centered on getting media attention. It is exploitation at its best. Candidates, parties, and interest groups exploit the media to get their opinions across and the media exploits these same groups to make money and have something to report on. Framing is a major component of influencing the public. While the media is not telling us what to think it can in fact give subtle clues to suggest how to think about certain issues. For instance, when someone uses the expression “tax reform”, it assumes that taxation is a problem that needs to...
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...New Media and Politics New media is allowing for innovative, effective, inexpensive, and faster ways to spread politics. The old days of only being able to watch political debates or campaigns on the television or on the radio are gone. New media has lead to more freedom of choice, vast sharing capabilities, instant responses from the public, and better ways to fundraise. No matter how many new forms of media come out nothing will ever replace the television or radio. New media is not substituting the old way of politicking, but rather enhancing it. The Internet, along with YouTube and such things as DVR and TiVo, gives viewers more of a choice of what they want to watch. They no longer have to watch what is limited to them through television. Knowing this, politicians can figure out more effective ways to campaign or broadcast messages that are more appealing to the public so that the public will be well informed of it and want to view it. Technology is so advanced that most of these developments in new media such as the Internet and YouTube are accessible from one’s cellular phone. That ease of accessibility gives politicians incentive to communicate information to the public in ways they can view from their cellular phones in addition to older more common ways of corresponding with the public. In doing this politicians are making sure people have the choice of viewing the information in the form most favorable to them. News travels fast and with such websites as Twitter...
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...ITRODUCTION In an attempt to understand ‘new media’ and politics we need to define what ‘new media is and what politics is. First we start by defining politics. According to Mansoor Maitah, Politics, in the broadest sense, is the activity through which people make, preserve and amend the general rules under which they live. Lasswell also defines politics as the process of who gets what, when, and how. He believes that politics is the process of allocating scarce values. He comes up with this equation; politics = allocation values (resources) wealth status power. By definition ‘new media’ according to Marshall McLuhan (1980) generally refers to the digital media which is interactive, incorporate two- way communication and involve some form of computing as opposed to ‘old media’ such as telephone, radio and TV. However there is a thin line between ‘old media’ and ‘new media’. This is because the ‘old media are getting digitized and some have consolidated with some ‘new media’ forms. Therefore we surround the term ‘new media’ with quotation marks to signify that they are digital interactive media. Without the quotation marks we generally are denoting media which is new to the context of discussion. To illustrate this, TV at is invent was new media and therefore cannot be said to be ‘new media’. Also parts of the world that have not received certain types of media will call them new media when introduced to them. GAGETRY DEFFERETIATION FROM THE PLAT FORMS.-TO BE DONE VIRTUAL...
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...Noah Chadwick Lecture 5 Reading Responses Vincent Raynauld Social Media and Politics Long ago in the history books of America and around the world politics occurred in open spaces and in crowded rooms. Grass roots organization actually occurred on grass. In the new millennium the political landscape is rapidly changing and people don’t know what to consider a fickle trend or an actual anthropological shift in the way in which politics operates today. What is becoming clear is that the Internet, or more specifically social media, is now a mean in which politicians can communicate with their electorate. At the same time it is a means in which electorates can engage with politicians. The political landscape is now scattered and fractured; and it is becoming difficult to discern what is politics and what is white noise. The article Party Change, Social Media, and the Rise of “Citizen-Initiated” Campaigning Rachel Gibson dissects the recent trends in the way that the internet and social media have changed the populist political landscape. What she focuses most on is Citizen Initiated Campaigning or CIC. This is grass roots campaigning that occurs in the digital sphere but eventually blends into actual organizations and voter turn outs for specific events and elections. Through her article Gibson examines how citizens engage with politicians they are passionate about and how they use social media to relay that politicians message to people they know through the internet...
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...The Media in Canadian Politics 1956 words Media has always been a center of interest of different political intellectuals in Canada. They always tend to use media as a powerful platform to convey their message to the all the stakeholders of Canadian politics. Common people, on the other hand, also use media to transmit their concerns and feedback to their political representatives. Be it the print media, broadcast media or social media, they have always played a significant role in Canadian politics. We have seen the active role of media in the longest election campaign of Canada in recent federal elections. Media influence Canadian politics by serving as an intermediary between the government and the common people, by acting as a public representative, and by shaping people’s perception of the political environment around them. As a common carrier of information for both government and common people, media plays a significant role in Canadian politics. The important part of this role of media is that most of the media act independently to provide unbiased information for both government and common people. This, however, is not always the case. We will discuss biased part of media later in this essay. As an intermediary between government and common people, media reports the news, helps determine the critical issues to be discussed, and enables the transparency in the political structure. Reporting the news is most basic and essential function of media. Common people and...
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...The media is the biggest source of political information that the general public is exposed to on a daily bases. Thus creating relationship that influences the political and voting behavior of the public. The studies done on the relationship of the media and voting (Hayes, 2009; Hopmann, Renes, Clases, & Albaek, 2010; Donatella, Pasquino, Vaccari, 2008) demonstrated that the strongest media impact was upon the politically unknowledgeable and the undecided voting public. However, a few more studies (Matthijs & DeVreese, 2008; Freedman & Goldstein, 1999; Hayes, 2009; Pinkleton, Austin, & Fortman, 1998; Tworzecki & Semetko, 2009) have been conducted looking at the impacts of negative campaign or political message content on the public’s voting...
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...technology and electronic media, which could further amplify the voice around the globe with just a tap on the screen, what wonders it can fulfill if handled or regulated rightly to spread the information to educate people and how much hazard and disaster it can create if handled wrongfully to spread the misinformation to manipulate groups of people and although regions to accomplish any personal goal at the dispense of majority of population. State of Pakistan has a turbulent history of the freedom of press since its birth as many dictators with the blend of some rich masters have ruled possessing personals objectives. Before the rapid expansion of electronic media there were few sources of information like print media and a state owned channel “PTV” which had always been exploited and used for setting personal political agendas to highlight the importance of issues which were only important for few individuals. September 11 was an important episode of our history which exposed our importance of position in the international arena. That position made the then military ruler Pervaiz Musharraf a key role player. He abruptly steered state’s policies toward unprecedented Islamic terrorism and war on terror along with the image building of Pakistan by some liberal measures in account of women rights, minority rights and freedom of expression. However those measures had outweighed by some irregular restrictions in other areas. Expansive explosion of the mass media after 9/11 in Pakistan...
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...Bacheloropdracht Bestuurskunde Wie regeren het social media landschap? Een onderzoek naar de rol van social media bij de informatievoorziening van én naar de diverse politieke partijen en politici in Nederland. Auteur: Jeroen Wichers Studentnr: s0121568 Studie: Bestuurskunde Juni 2012 Begeleider: Prof . Dr. C.W.A.M. Aarts Meelezer: Mw. Dr. A. Dassen 1 SAMENVATTING De doelstelling van dit onderzoek was het analyseren van de rol van social media bij de informatievoorziening van én naar de diverse politieke partijen en partijleiders in Nederland in december 2011. Een longitudinaal onderzoek gedurende vier weken, waarin alle berichten, blogs en tweets van politieke partijen en politici op Facebook, Hyves en Twitter (en LinkedIn) werden geanalyseerd en gedocumenteerd, was hier de opmaat naar. Daarnaast werd het online publiek in kaart gebracht, gemeten op diverse momenten, zodat tevens de dynamiek van dit publiek kon worden geanalyseerd. De eerste afbakening van het onderzoek, met betrekking tot de schifting in de betrokken social media netwerken, is gebaseerd op de grootte ervan; het betreft de grootste vier netwerken die Nederland kent. Het onderzoeken van de rol van social media werd vertaald naar vier centrale constructen, elk vertegenwoordigd in een deelvraag: bereik, intensiteit, interactie en thema. Het onderzoeken op welke wijze en hoe intensief social media gebruikt worden door de diverse actoren in het vaderlandse politieke landschap was één van de (sub-)doelstellingen...
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...Introduction Media technology is a turbulent, rough and ever-changing ocean of transmissions of information. It is a tsunami that swallows a nation’s political coast and restructures its landscape. Speculations were rife that the new media might surpass the traditional media in terms of the latest political campaigns and strategies. The surge of urgency to garner voters in the GE13 was greater than ever because the digital wave might most possibly cause the greatest change in Malaysian political history. This article does not discuss the political results of the GE 13 but it is confined to the topic of the impact of media technology. Our research will be assessed on several regards such as media effects on political representation, political campaigns, voters’ behaviors and democracy. It is our hope that this article helps you understand the most current form of the political landscape most especially as affected in the virtual world based on past findings, news speculations and research. Evaluation Regarding political campaigns As technology evolves, political campaigns are constantly evolving, as well. A practice that once relied on print advertisement and word of mouth was severely impacted by the radio, a new technology that allowed politicians to reach more potential voters than ever before. Then came the television, which once again redefined the political world. Now, image and appearance would play a major role in political campaigns. Then, just a decade or...
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...Political Science 201 June 7, 2012 Media’s Negative Effect in Politics The media plays a heavy negative role in American politics. During the past few years, society’s judgment has been based on what was given to it through the media. People rarely specifically research on candidates or propositions anymore. Much of the mass media is biased by trying to persuade viewers into believing what they want them to believe are true. Media is created for consumption by a large number of people watching it. The media has a remarkable impact on politics, which is not always good or beneficial. The data collected from the media can either be used for or against a politician. If a politician is favored by a certain network, such as CNN, NBC, or FOX, then the network can help his or her career reach new heights; however, if a politician is disliked then the network is capable of destroying the politician’s career. The media has the desire to make decisions for itself and in return try to convince people of its rightness and distort its viewers’ perspectives. There are many different types of media that can have a different influence on society’s political view. The four biggest forms of media are radio stations, newspapers, the internet, and television. People could tune into radio stations or talk radios to listen to political candidates being interviewed. An example would be in 1992 when "President George H. Bush interviewed with conservative talk show host Rush Limbaugh" (Curl). Non-political...
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...The portrayal of the mass media is seen to neutral and unbiased. Media is an agent of political socialization, which has created an impact on politics. Mass media has operated in a way that can affect politics in America. Today, significant factors contribute to the workers of mass media as their reports can face a high chance of influence to politician. Such influences include big corporations or the government, primarily to manipulate the mass audience for their own advantage. Mass media has a great influence on the public opinion as they can fluctuate what individuals should think, know and feel about politicians. The media supplies the general audience with information that voters can base their decisions on. From this, the media is able to manipulate the general public on extreme issues that interfere with the general publics’ rights, such as important issues regarding health or even political interferences. Although one may believe what they learn from the media may be a from an objective point of view, but in truth all information from the media has many external factors that can influence stories for a purpose. This paper will argue how the mass media has a direct influence on the general audience’s perspective and the opinions of the opinions of our political candidates. One area to notice is how certain issues in the media are given more attention in comparison where others are not. What is determined to be on the agenda of the media is a continuous competition from...
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...The New Media: Distorting Politics Carreon, Elimar Andree L. Valmores, Michael Aldrin S. Hidalgo, Jebb B. Saint Louis College Mr. Al Gerald S. Barde English IV IV – St. Alphonsus of Ligouri October 21, 2011 The New Media: Distorting Politics The crucial function of mass media in influencing public’s knowledge and understanding on global and national issues is indisputable. In the Philippines, media plays a critical and widespread role in daily life (Suguitan, 2007). Suguitan proclaims that it is an understatement to say that the media is merely influential, for it is powerful enough to make or break persons and institutions, and even shape society (2007). Performing as the main source of information, media serves as the medium in which the government informs, explains, and tries to win the support of the people for its programs and policies (Soifer, Hoffman and Voss, 2001). In this jurisdiction, the media is often called the fourth branch of the government for it monitors political matters to ensure political players don’t abuse democratic processes (University of San Francisco, n.d.). According to Political scientist Harold Lasswell, a pioneer in media studies, the media must perform three societal functions: surveillance of the world to report ongoing reports, interpretation of the meaning of events, and socialization of individuals into their cultural settings. Surveillance involves two major tasks. When it constitutes to the need of general public, it...
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...Introduction The media is the link between the public and politics. However, while media sources are viewed as purveyors of the day's news, they maintain considerable influence on politics. It is important to differentiate the concept of media influence from the concept of media bias. While some media sources will have an undoubted bias in the way they are reporting the news and the issues they select and prioritise, this does not necessarily equate with influence. Influence can be far less obvious or overt than bias, and can lead to changes in opinion in an indirect manner. While United States news outlets such as Fox News or the New York Post may have a more direct political bias, other outlets such as CNN or the New York Times – while appearing less openly biased – will also wield considerable influence. Similarly, in the United Kingdom, while The Daily Mail has an agenda which must be obvious to many who read it, less openly biased newspapers such as The Guardian will still have the potential to influence politics and politicians. In fact, media sources with a less overt bias will have potentially more influence than others, as they could be considered to be more reliable or trustworthy than biased tabloid entertainment news. This paper will assess the issue of media influence on politics, and evaluate the methods and forms this influence can take. Discussion Media Influence The role of the media in influencing politics has been long recognised. Comparative analysis of media sources...
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...Social Media’s impact on Politics Social Media has had a lot of impacts in the government. It affects the governments in different ways such as:Globally, Politically, economically, and Involvement. As we know now a days the government likes to use social media to keep us informed or as youths like to say it to keep us Hip. The Government doesn’t just use social media to keep us Hip, but they also use it for campaigning. As said here “It has become fairly common for political campaigns to produce commercials and publish them for free on YouTube instead of, or in addition to, paying for time on television or the radio.”(Tom, Different ways of doing it). Politicians use social Media to do things like this in order to save money. Meaning when they are campaigning they also try to save money. “Personal communication via social media brings politicians and parties closer to their potential voters.”(European Parliamentary, Politicians).This shows how politicians are brought together with the people that could potentially vote for them. “Reactions, feedback, conversations and debates are generated online as well as support and participation for offline events.”(European Parliamentary, People). Due to social Media more and more youths are involved in politics, this means youths are no longer left in the dark they are knowledged. “41% of young people engaged in at least one act of participatory politics during the prior 12 months...
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...The media is too influential and this undermines democracy in the UK. This paper will examine the above statement in regards to media undermining democracy. It will look at arguments both for and against, what influence the media has on our democracy, it will look in to media and government bias, refer to statistics along with some theories, this is to try and determine if behaviours and attitudes can be influenced by what we see and hear in the media. Other points that will be addressed include the effects of spin and how the media tends to deliver its information to its audience. In todays society more or less everyone knows about the media. We as a nation tend to partake in some kind of media activity daily. It has been said that we take the modern media very much for granted as we are totally immersed in them. For example “Just as fish will be the last life form on earth to discover water, because they are completely surrounded by it and know of nothing else” (the new politics, 2007:301). There for it’s hard to imagine what life would be like without the daily paper, radio and tv. Some allege that the effects of the media are strong and clearly visible, however others argue with equal conviction that the media have minimal or no direct effects (the new politics, 2007). According to the reinforcement theory the media can only reinforce attitudes that already exist and this is down to two reasons markets and personality. They believe that the effects of mass media are...
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