Discuss What Role The Media Has In Shaping Citizens' Politic
Discuss What Role The Media Has In Shaping Citizens Political Valu
Discuss what role the media has in shaping citizens' political values. Discuss whether you think your political values have been influenced by the media; give at least one specific example. Finally, identify a recent current event that you believe was influenced by the media and whether it was positive or negative in your view; fully explain your response.
Respond to two (2) posts by your classmates regarding their views on media influence on political values and whether you agree with whether the media positively or negatively influenced the current event they identified. Your responses should be at least two paragraphs long. A paragraph consists of at least three sentences.
Your response to the prompt should be at least three paragraphs long. A paragraph consists of at least three sentences.
Paper For Above instruction
The media plays a significant role in shaping citizens' political values by influencing perceptions, beliefs, and attitudes toward political issues, candidates, and policies. Through various channels such as television, social media, newspapers, and online platforms, the media disseminates information, frames political narratives, and often highlights specific issues, thereby impacting public opinion. For instance, during election campaigns, media outlets tend to amplify particular messages or scandals, which can sway voters' perceptions of candidates and influence their voting behavior (McCombs & Shaw, 1972). Furthermore, the media can reinforce existing beliefs or challenge them by providing diverse viewpoints, thereby shaping the political landscape of a society.
Personally, I believe that my political values have been influenced by the media, especially through social media platforms that I frequently use. I recall a specific example during the recent climate change debates, where social media campaigns and news coverage heavily emphasized the importance of sustainable practices and urgent policy action. This exposure reinforced my belief that addressing climate change is a critical priority, and it motivated me to support certain policies and political leaders advocating for environmental reforms (Kenski & Stroud, 2014). The media's framing created a sense of urgency and consensus that shaped my perspective on the issue, illustrating its powerful influence on individual political values.
A recent current event that I believe was significantly influenced by the media is the widespread coverage and public reaction to the COVID-19 vaccination campaigns. The media's portrayal of vaccine efficacy and safety, coupled with reports of adverse reactions or breakthrough cases, has shaped public opinion and vaccination rates. In my view, this coverage was largely positive because it emphasized the importance of vaccination in controlling the pandemic and saving lives. However, certain sensationalist or fear-mongering reports also fueled vaccine hesitancy among some groups, reflecting a negative aspect of media influence. Overall, the media's role in disseminating scientific information and addressing public concerns has been crucial in shaping the trajectory of this health crisis (Betsch et al., 2020).
In responding to classmates’ posts, I will consider their views on media influence regarding political values and the specific current events they identify. Agreeing or disagreeing with their perspectives, I will provide reasoned arguments based on evidence and scholarly sources, emphasizing the complex role of the media in democracy. It is important to recognize that while media can inform and mobilize citizens positively, it can also mislead or polarize public opinion when biased or sensationalized content is prevalent (Parmelee & Bichard, 2017). Thus, media literacy and critical engagement are essential for fostering an informed citizenry.
References
Betsch, C., Schmid, P., Heinemeier, D., et al. (2020). From hype to reality: COVID-19 vaccines and the dangers of premature promotion. Vaccine, 38(39), 6002–6003.
Kenski, K., & Stroud, N. J. (2014). The Role of Social Media in Political Engagement. Journal of Communication, 64(4), 556–575.
McCombs, M. E., & Shaw, D. L. (1972). The Agenda-Setting Function of Mass Media. Public Opinion Quarterly, 36(2), 176–187.
Parmelee, J. H., & Bichard, S. L. (2017). The Political Economy of Media and Political Polarization. Media, Culture & Society, 39(8), 1103–1118.