Influence of the media is exaggerated Flashcards
(7 cards)
Debate themes
- Elections
- Holding govt to account between elections
- Undermining democracy
For: Elections
Newspaper Endorsements Shape Opinion
Most newspapers support a specific party during elections.
Conservatives won 4 elections (2010–2019) with strong press backing.
Lost in 2024 after losing support of The Sun, Financial Times, Sunday Times.
Aggressive Anti-Opposition Headlines
Daily Mail 2017 front page: “Cor-Bin” — directly attacked Labour & Jeremy Corbyn.
Aimed to influence voter perceptions at the last moment.
Televised Debates and Interviews Shape Perception
2017: Theresa May refused to debate Corbyn — seen as weak, hurt popularity.
2019: Boris Johnson refused Andrew Neil interview — parties avoid damaging coverage.
Agenda-Setting Role of Media
Media shapes public focus: 2019 election known as the “Brexit election” due to media framing.
Viral Social Media Moments Influence Voters
2024: Rishi Sunak leaving D-Day event early caused major backlash on social media.
Party Media Strategy Shows Its Power
Stage-managed campaign events, photo ops, avoidance of tough interviews show how parties fear media missteps.
Indicates parties believe media strongly impacts voter decisions.
Against: Elections
Voters Have Strong Party Allegiances
Many voters stick with their preferred party regardless of media endorsements.
YouGov - 2017 election: 30% of Sun readers and 39% of FT readers voted Labour, despite both papers backing Conservatives.
Polling Shows Media Bias Doesn’t Always Influence Voting
2024: 52% of Daily Mail readers and 47% of Telegraph readers intended to vote Labour — both traditionally pro-Tory outlets.
Echo Chamber Effect — Most people consume media that reflects their existing views - limits the potential for media to change minds — it reinforces, rather than shifts, opinion.
Social Media Algorithms Personalise Content
People are shown what they already like/agree with. Political content often reaches those already aligned with it, not persuadable swing voters.
For: Holding govt to account between elections
Holds Government to Account
Partygate: Media gradually exposed the scandal, undermining trust in Johnson and contributing to his resignation - shows power to challenge + damage governments outside of election cycles.
Freebiegate (2024): Freedom of Information (FOI) requests by media outlets uncovered £16k worth of gifts to Keir Starmer from donor Lord Alli - gave security pass to downing street.
Media Interviews Pressure Ministers and Reveal Weaknesses - TRUSENOMICS!
Liz Truss local radio interviews: Her poor performance and defence of failed economic policies exposed her unpopularity and contributed to her resignation.
Media acted as a public accountability tool when party and Parliament were weak.
Stepped in During Weak Parliamentary Oversight (e.g. COVID-19). With Parliament shut down, media became the main source of scrutiny through daily press briefings and tough questioning.
Post Office Horizon Scandal (2024)
ITV documentary + BBC Newsnight brought into light and exposed wrongful convictions of post office operators based on flawed software - escalated public outrage → direct political action (compensation scheme announced for financial loss, personal distress + reputational damage).
Against: Holding govt to account between elections
Parliament Plays a More Direct Role in Accountability
Media often just provides a platform for politicians to challenge each other (e.g. Question Time). Real accountability occurs through PMQs, Select Committees, and parliamentary debate.
Allegations of Media Bias Undermine Trust
BBC accused of bias from both political sides.
Laura Kuenssberg faced backlash for allegedly spreading fake news during 2019 election (e.g. Labour activists and Tory advisor incident).
Public Engagement with Political Media Is Limited
Large parts of the public are politically disengaged, especially between elections.
Reduces the real-world effect of media scrutiny on public opinion.
Government Can Control and Manipulate Media Access
Ministers often avoid critical interviews or favour friendly outlets.
Example: Suella Braverman’s 2023 Rwanda trip – only right-wing outlets (e.g. Daily Mail, Telegraph) invited.
Result: Daily Mail presented favourable coverage (“Braverman’s Bold Step”), while The Guardian relied on second-hand info and was more critical (“Blow to Refugee Rights?”)
For: Undermining democracy
Media Focuses on Clicks, Not Substance
Oversimplifies complex issues, focusing on personalities, gaffes, and headlines rather than policy. Driven by commercial pressures, not the public interest.
Newspapers Are Highly Partisan and Opportunistic - Shift allegiances to suit circulation goals or owner interests.
Murdoch: The Sun switched support from Labour to Conservatives (1970s) due to Margret Thatcher’s trade union approach being in line with Murdoch’s business interest, back to Labour (1997) as Blair showed business had nothing to fear under him, back to Conservatives (2010) after repudiating Brown, and Labour again (2024).
Negative impact on democracy because newspaper owners can’t be held to account in the same way politicians can, yet are able to wield significant influence on politics.
Guardian 2024: Murdoch - ‘media tycoon who controls a vast empire including influential outlets like The Times, The Sun + Sky News’
Media Undermines Parliament’s Role
Governments increasingly make policy announcements to the press, not in the Commons.
Speaker Sir Lindsay Hoyle (Oct 2024) criticised Chancellor Rachel Reeves for leaking Budget details to media before MPs.
Social Media Spreads Disinformation and Threatens MPs
Elon Musk (late 2024) spread false claims and incited hate against Home Office Minister Jess Phillips.
Called her a “rape genocide apologist,” showcasing how unregulated platforms can foster abuse and misinformation.
Against: Undermining democracy
Free Media is a Core Feature of Democracy
Provides vital scrutiny of the government, especially when parliamentary opposition is weak.
Helps highlight important political issues to the public.
Example: Hancock WhatsApp Leak (2023)
The Telegraph published 100,000+ leaked messages revealing government failures during COVID-19.
Showed face masks in schools were introduced to avoid conflict with Scotland, not public health evidence.
Social Media Increases Democratic Participation
More voices, more access, and wider political engagement than ever before.
Undermines the monopoly of traditional newspapers, giving ordinary people a platform.
Newspaper Circulation Is Declining
Daily Mail circulation dropped from 2.4M in 1997 to 736,000 in 2024.
Indicates reduced influence of traditional, biased press.
Broadcast Media Is More Neutral
TV and radio (e.g. BBC) follow strict neutrality rules (BBC Charter).
Voters exposed to balanced coverage during election periods, helping them make informed decisions.
