Influence Of Media Examples Flashcards
Daily mail circulation 2022 compared to 2012 and 1997
In 2022 the Daily Mail had a circulation of 909,000, compared to 1.85million in 2012 and 2.4million in 1997.
Did social media or newspapers have more influence in 2017
General public claimed newspapers has more influence than social media over their voting choices in 2017; 32% vs 26%
Top three newspapers supporting parties in last 3 elections
Top two newspapers have backed the conservatives in the last 3 elections (Sun with 1.8million daily circulation and Mail with 1.6million circulation). The third (Mirror) backed labour but only has a daily circulation of 809,000.
“It’s the Sun wot won it”
After the 1992 election
What % of sun readers voted labour in 2017
30% of sun readers voted labour in 2017, despite backing tories
TV and radio
- for most channels (particularly the BBC) politics coverage is supposed to be balanced and neutral.
- TV is important in the media coverage of elections, with TV debates and interviews an important fixture in campaigns and party political broadcasts.
Arguments that TV and the radio are significant
- TV can be seen as important how it projects visual images, helping voters to form an impression of party leaders..
- help shape the view of voters
- between elections TV and radio interviews with key politicians can be highly important.
Arguments and examples that the TV and radio are significant
- it is important not to exaggerate the role of TV in changing people’s opinions. It often reinforced political views rather than changing them.
- The 2019 TV debates didn’t result in a major win for either side, with polling straight after showing neither leader came out on top massively, this is perhaps due to the fact there wasn’t a good leader able to win the debate and manipulate the media though.
- TV and radio can be seen as less important among younger voters who are more likely to get their political information from social media and the internet.
In 2017, Theresa May refused to…….
In 2017, Theresa May refusing to take part in a head on head TV debate with Corbyn made her look weak in the eyes of voters and contributed to her unpopularity.
example of TV and radio interviews shaping views of voters
Often exposes gov or opposition failures
Newsnight - often exposes government or opposition failures, such as how COVID was transmitted to care homes
Liz Truss radio interviews
Series of disastrous local radio interviews were important in exposing the failure of Liz Truss’ economic policies and showing her unpopularity with the public, consequently playing a party in her resignation soon after.
Influence of TV v newspapers
A survey in the run up to the 2015 election found that 62% cited television as the strongest influence in helping them form an opinion, while only 25% put papers first.
Run up to 2010 election, polls after tv debate
In the last run up to the 2010 election, Clegg enjoyed a boost in the polls following the first TV debate. This proved to be a temporary triumph, though, as voters swung back to the two larger parties.
TV debates in 2019
In 2019 TV debates didn’t result in a major win for either side
TV debate 2019 Johnson v Corbyn
Johnson was able to not mess up enough and do us the debate on Brexit by asking Corbyn repeatedly to give his opinion and saying ‘Get Brexit Done’ a lot.
