1 / 27

Influence of Media and Interest Groups on Public Opinion

Explore the power of mass media in shaping public agenda, measuring opinion through polls, and understanding propaganda techniques. Learn about the role of interest groups, lobbyists, and think tanks in influencing government decisions and promoting beliefs.

winstona
Download Presentation

Influence of Media and Interest Groups on Public Opinion

An Image/Link below is provided (as is) to download presentation Download Policy: Content on the Website is provided to you AS IS for your information and personal use and may not be sold / licensed / shared on other websites without getting consent from its author. Content is provided to you AS IS for your information and personal use only. Download presentation by click this link. While downloading, if for some reason you are not able to download a presentation, the publisher may have deleted the file from their server. During download, if you can't get a presentation, the file might be deleted by the publisher.

E N D

Presentation Transcript

  1. Public Opinion, Media, and Interest Groups

  2. Mass Media • Mass Media- communication that reaches a vast audience • Types of Mass Media • Print – newspaper, magazines, newsletters, and books • Electronic – Radio, TV, Internet, Social Media

  3. Power of the MediaOctober 30, 1938

  4. War of the Worlds-Orson Welles

  5. PUBLIC Agenda • Media creates the public agenda – issues that are the most significant • 98% of Americans have televisions in their homes; 70% read the newspaper, 84% use the internet • The information that is given to us definitely effects our opinions on issues

  6. Media as a watchdog • Media “checks” the government • Exposes any wrong doings within government

  7. Polls • Polls are surveys taken to measure public opinion • Polls can influence your opinion because human nature tells you to follow the norm • Pros of Polls • Allows politicians to see what is important to voters and better serve their community • Cons of Polls • Can influence public • Can lead officials to follow public agenda instead of their own opinion • Can be wrong

  8. Limitations • Slander – cannot speak lies • Libel – cannot print lies • Bias – not supposed to show favor for one group or another

  9. Questions to consider… • Should the media be allowed to deliver any news desired, even if it puts national security at risk? • How much of an influence do you believe the media has on the public?

  10. Propaganda • Propaganda-a technique of persuasion aimed at influencing behavior

  11. Types of Propaganda • Glittering Generalities-information that sounds good but is meaningless • Bandwagon-urges people to follow the crowd • Name-Calling-attacks a person or a policy with a name or label

  12. Types of Propaganda continued… • Card-Stacking- presents only one side of the issue and distorts facts • Plain Folks- appeals to common people • Celebrity Testimonials-uses endorsements from famous people • Symbols/Transfer-uses popular symbols to create a positive or negative connotation/association

  13. Special Interest Groups • Special Interest Groups are people who share a point of view about an issue and unite to promote their beliefs

  14. Lobbyists • A lobbyist is a representative of an interest groups or businesses who contacts lawmakers directly to influence them to support their policies • Sometimes lobbyist have a bad reputation, however they are incredibly necessary

  15. Think Tanks • Think Tanks are organization of experts researching and advising on issues of society, science, technology, industry, or business

  16. Types of Interest Groups (economic) • Business Groups- try to influence government decisions on issues that effect their industry • Example- Cigarette manufacturers • Labor Groups- unions promote economic interests of workers • Example- these want to improve working conditions, benefits, and wages

  17. Types of Interest Groups(economic) • Agricultural Groups- want to influence government decisions on farming and ranching • Examples- taxes, regulations of crops or animals • Professional Groups- professions such as lawyers, doctors, and accountants have interest groups to push for legislation regarding their issues • Example- American Medical Association represents doctors

  18. Types of Interest Groups(Non-economic) • Public Interest Groups– support causes that affect the lives of Americans in general • Example- pollution control, consumer protection • Single-Issue Interest Groups– focus on only one cause to support • Ideological Groups– support causes that effect certain ethnic groups, age groups, or gender • Examples- NAACP & AARP

  19. How can you make change occur? #1 Vote • Government based on popular sovereignty • Only way to make a difference in officials is to vote #2 Volunteering • Offering services to others without payment • Gives you chance to help others and contribute to your community

  20. How can you make change occur? #3 Protesting • Organizing a group in reaction to a situation or event to try to influence others and/or make a difference #4 Petitioning • Submit a formal request for change • Usually requires a collection of signatures

  21. How can you make change occur? #5 Surveys • Gathering of public opinion that results can be used to promote change • Usually conducted on random samples of population #6 Run for Office • Obtaining a leadership role on the local, state, or federal level can bring about change throughout the country

More Related