The Influence Of The Media In A Level Politics

Question 1

Newspapers

Answer 1

Used to be how the majority of people consumed politics, but has declined in importance in recent decades due to the increasing importance of digital and online media.

Newspapers have no obligation to be neutral and have different political biases.

Question 2

Right wing newspapers

Answer 2

The sun

Daily telegraph

Times

Daily mail

Daily express

Question 3

Left wing newspapers

Answer 3

Daily mirror

Guardian

Question 4

Arguments press is significant

Answer 4

• around 7 million people read newspapers daily in the UK
  Many people read newspapers online
• newspapers present a biased view so can have a big impact changing people’s opinions and influencing how they vote.

Question 5

Arguments that the press is insignificant

Answer 5

• newspapers circulation has declined significantly in recent years as many voters move to other forms of media.
• seems unlikely that the influence of the press causes people to change their voting behaviour. Most people read newspapers that broadly reflect their outlook.

Question 6

Social media

Answer 6

By 2015 social media began to play an important role in politics and elections.

Social media and the internet aren’t subject to the same neutrality rules as TV and the radio and can be highly partisan, with news sites such as The Canary and The Spectator gaining significant traction.

Question 7

Arguments that the media is significant

Answer 7

• the internet and social media are central to how younger voters consume political information and shape their political views.
• they can also lead to certain scandals going viral during election
  Jacob Rees Mogg’s comments on the Grenfell fire
• targeted advertising on social media is highly important to how parties try to reach voters.

Question 8

Arguments and examples that the internet and social media are insignificant

Answer 8

• a lot of political coverage on social media and the internet is dominated by traditional forms of media.
• doesn’t apply to the older generation who are more likely to vote than the younger generation.

Question 9

How do opinion polls play a role in politics

Answer 9

• aim to gauge the popularity of parties by asking a sample of people how they intend to vote
• parties use opinion polls to shape their policies by gauging the popularity of different policies
• exit polls are often the first indication of the election result.

Question 10

How significant are opinion polls in politics?

Answer 10

• not significant as reflects views of the public
• significant as it influences turnout and voting behaviour
• tactical voting
• shape party politics

Question 11

Arguments the media has a big impact on elections

Answer 11

• parties try to control their media appearance as much as possible during elections - sometimes avoiding tough interviews and having very stage managed performances and photo opportunities.
• newspapers come out strongly in favour of a political party and effectively campaign for one party.
• TV debates and interviews are key moments in campaigns and are watched by millions of voters.
• media is key to how voters consume political information and form opinions and can therefore be seen as very important to election outcomes.
• key moments during campaigns can go viral on social media and shape voters’ perceptions of parties and leaders.

Question 12

Arguments that the media has little impact on elections

Answer 12

• the impact of the media during elections can be overstated. Voters don’t simply follow what the media says but form their own opinions, whilst many have strong allegiances to parties and are highly unlikely to be swayed by anything the media does during elections.
• further, most individuals consume the media and political opinions they already agree with, therefore only reinforcing views rather than having much potential to change them.
• other factors including social factors and valance factors can be less important.

Question 13

Media holds gov to account between elections

Answer 13

• exposes failures e.g. partygate scandal through receiving leaks, this was crucial in bringing down the Johnson government.
• ministers are interviewed on the radio and on TV daily, where journalists can question them and expose their failings.
• as parliament was shut down during COVID-19 and news conferences were really important, the media took on a more important role, becoming the main source of opposition to the government in the way that parliament normally is.

Question 14

Media isn’t important at holding the gov to account between elections

Answer 14

• parliament can be seen as playing a far more important role in holding the government to account, whilst the media often provides a platform for politicians to scrutinise other politicians.
• much of the population pays little attention to politics and political media

Question 15

Arguments that the media has a positive impact on democracy/ politics

Answer 15

• free media is a vital feature of a healthy democracy and can play an essential role in holding governments to account and highlighting key political issues, especially when parliamentary opposition is weak.
• media can now be seen as more democratised as more individuals are able to have a voice and participate in politics.
• TV and radio coverage is less biased than newspapers.

Question 16

Arguments that the media has a negative impact on democracy/ politics

Answer 16

• large sections of the media present an oversimplified interpretation of political issues and focus too much on leaders, personalities and images rather than policy. This is influenced by the fact they are driven by getting as many clicks as possible.
• Newspapers are notoriously partisan and will alter their allegiance in response to changing circumstances as much as to any ideological loyalties.
• Newspaper owners and other important media figures are primarily interested in boosting their circulation figures and cant be hold to account in the same way politicians can.
• govs have been increasingly making important policy announcements in TV studios rather than in the HoC. This can be seen as detracting from the role of parliament and the HoC especially, which is elected to perform this role.