How does this video clip portray former President Bush?
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Transcript of How does this video clip portray former President Bush?
How does this video clip portray former President Bush?
How does what you see or hear on TV or the radio affect your beliefs about politics?
Mass Media and Public Opinion
“The hand that rules the press, the radio, the screen, and the far-spread magazine rules the country.”
Judge Learned Hand (1942)
Public Opinion
Definition: Those attitudes held by a significant
number of people on matters of government and politics
Public opinion is complex Because “the public” holds many
different viewpoints on nearly every issue
This is because there are many different “publics”
Examples?
Factors that shape public opinion:
1. Family2. Education3. Peer groups4. Opinion leaders5. Historic events6. Mass media
How do we measure public opinion? Elections – Candidates who win often claim to have a
MANDATE, a command to the public to carry out their campaign promises
Interest Groups – They make public opinion known through the work of lobbyists (via phone calls, letter writing, campaigning, etc.)
The Media – Sometimes stories in the news mirror public opinions, other times the media can mold it
The best way to measure public opinion is through Public Opinion Polls Attempts to collect info by asking people questions Examples:▪ www.gallup.com “Gallup Poll” or “Harris Survey”▪ http://www.zogby.com/SOUNDBITES/ReadClips.dbm/?ID=17317
Effect of Poll Wording on Reliability
1
The Federal Government should see to it that all people have adequate housing.
Agree Disagree55.1% 44.9%
1
The Federal Government should see to it that all people have adequate housing.
Agree Disagree55.1% 44.9%
2
Some people feel the Federal Government should see to it that all people have adequate housing while others feel each person should provide his or her own housing. Which comes closest to how you feel about this?
Gov is Gov notresponsible responsible44.6% 55.4%
1
The Federal Government should see to it that all people have adequate housing.
Agree Disagree55.1% 44.9%
2
Some people feel the Federal Government should see to it that all people have adequate housing while others feel each person should provide his or her own housing. Which comes closest to how you feel about this?
Gov is Gov notresponsible responsible44.6% 55.4%
3
Some people feel each person should provide his or her own housing, while others feel the Federal Government should see to it that all people have adequate housing. Which comes closest to how you feel about this?
Gov is Gov notresponsible responsible29.5% 70.5%
Mass Media
Types: Television Newspape
rs Radio Magazines Internet Any more?
Influence of the Media
The media plays a significant role in politics! Plays a large role in shaping the Public
Agenda – the problems the citizens and government agree need attention
Has made candidates less dependent on their party since they can now reach voters themselves▪ Often when speaking, they deliver
information in sharply focused segments that newscasts can air as sound bites – quick 30-45 second reports
Media to INFORM The News Media
Know your sources Today many have agendas Examples ->▪ During the 2004 elections, a study
of election coverage found that ABC, CBS, NBC was more favorable toward John Kerry; while Fox News was more favorable towards Bush
Limits of the News:▪ Not everyone pays attention or
understands media reports▪ People often pay attention to
sources and stories with which they agree
Satire in the Media
In 2009 a poll was taken as to the source of news for people aged 18 to 29
23% listed ABC, CBS, or NBC 21% listed “The Daily Show” and
“Saturday Night Live”
Media to PERSUADE
Political ads http://www.livingroomcandidate.org/
Watch for propaganda Worksheet