MEDIA AND POLITICS

Media and Politics

Media and Politics

Introduction

Shaping public opinion has always been the center of attention in politics and media has always been considered the best and effective way to do this. Media has been used by political parties to persuade people unlike the old approach which is public speaking, now political leaders are focusing more on media to win favor of majority. In this study I would examine how media affects decision making process by persuading masses and how it is being used by political leaders to draw the public opinion in their favor. (Lanoue 1992, Pp. 168-84)

As an example of media's persuasion I would quote the example from the 2004 presidential election of United States when Bob Schieffer asked ex-President of US George Bush and Senator John Kerry a question during the debate that do you believe homosexuality is a choice? Senator Kerry answered the question by saying, “We're all God's children, Bob. And I think if you were to talk to Dick Cheney's daughter who is a lesbian; she would tell you that she's being who she was. She's being who she was born as.”Immediately following the debate, on Fox News and CNN, commentators and campaign surrogates began critiquing Senator Kerry's remarks.

In post debate analysis on Fox News, Morton Kondracke of Roll Call, commenting on Senator Kerry's statement said, “I think this is totally underhanded the outing of Dick Cheney's lesbian daughter. I think it's a think it's dirty pool on the Kerry Edwards campaign's part.” By the next morning Senator Kerry's comments dominated coverage in newspapers as well as on the network and cable news programs. Media coverage also discussed Lynne Cheney's response to Senator Kerry's comment delivered at a post debate rally. Does such type of one side flow of information shape the perception of people or not? (Benoit et al. 2002, Pp. 316-31 and Bennett 2005, Pp. 171-7) In this study impacts of media would be determine on shaping people's opinion. As people often get persuaded by those whom they seems as credible source of information.

Purpose of the study

This study would determine the effects of media on shaping public opinion and how political leaders use media to get public support.

Statement of the problem

Media is considered the most effective way to persuade people; in this study the factors that mostly affect on shaping behavior would be explored. The misuse of the media or if media really has the power to shape the decision of people than to what extent media contributes in shaping the opinion as limiting the thoughts of human being is not possible.

Aims and Objective of the study

In this study I will try to find out what are the major factors that have the potential to shape people's behavior and how political leaders and parties used media to get public support.

Significance of the study

The impact of media on our daily life is so high that people often start to believe what they watch on news or read on newspapers or ...