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Public Opinion, Media, and Interest Groups

Public Opinion, Media, and Interest Groups. 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. Power of the Media October 30, 1938.

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Public Opinion, Media, and Interest Groups

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  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

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