Search Forums Week 5 Discussion 1 Initial Post Due Wed

Search Search Forumsweek 5 Discussion 1 Initial Post Due Wednesday By

Search Search forums Week 5 Discussion 1: Initial post due Wednesday by midnight EST. Select four people currently in the media and discuss their exertion of one of the sources of power. Students must cover all four of the sources of power discussed on page 263 of your textbook. Apply only one source of power to each of the four people selected. Requirements (please read) For each discussion, you are required to write an initial post (300 words) and one secondary post (200 words). The discussion forums will be worth 40 points apiece—25 points for the initial post and 15 points for the secondary post. For your initial post, you must have two academic peer-reviewed articles for references. You must get them from the library. There are directions at the top of our Moodle page showing how to utilize the library.

Paper For Above instruction

Introduction

In contemporary media, influential figures often utilize various sources of power to shape opinions, control narratives, and maintain their status. Understanding the different sources of power as outlined in communication theories helps us analyze how these figures exert influence. This paper examines four individuals currently prominent in the media and analyzes how each exerts one specific source of power from the framework discussed in the textbook, specifically on page 263. Each individual’s case demonstrates the application of a particular power source—coercive, reward, legitimate, or expert—highlighting their strategic use of influence within the media landscape.

Source of Power Framework

According to the textbook (author, year), the five sources of power include coercive, reward, legitimate, referent, and expert power. For this analysis, we focus on four of these: coercive, reward, legitimate, and expert power. Each source manifests differently depending on context, individuals’ roles, and their use of communication strategies. Applying these sources to media figures provides insight into their influence and authority in today’s digital and traditional media platforms.

Media Figures and Their Power Sources

1. Coercive Power – Elon Musk
2. Elon Musk exemplifies coercive power through his ownership of Twitter and Tesla. His capacity to enforce compliance among employees and influence public opinion is tied to his control over vital communication channels. Musk’s decisions, such as banning users or making policy changes on Twitter, demonstrate coercive power — using the threat or actual implementation of sanctions to influence behavior (French & Raven, 1959). His authority stems from his perceived control over media access and social platforms, allowing him to shape narratives through forceful authority.
3. Reward Power – Oprah Winfrey
4. Oprah Winfrey harnesses reward power through her ability to offer endorsements, awards, and opportunities that can significantly influence public perceptions and consumer behavior (Kipnis et al., 1980). Her reputation and financial resources enable her to reward those she endorses or promotes, encouraging compliance and alignment with her values. Her influence extends into her philanthropic endeavors and media endorsements, which serve as strategies of reward power that sway public opinion and industry standards.
5. Legitimate Power – Barack Obama
6. Barack Obama’s legitimacy as a former President endows him with legitimate power—authority derived from his formal position and societal role (French & Raven, 1959). His speeches, policy advocacies, and public appearances are backed by his recognized authority, which grants him influence beyond ordinary individuals. His legitimacy is reinforced by constitutional and institutional authority, giving weight to his voice on policy issues and societal debates.
7. Expert Power – Anthony Fauci
8. Dr. Anthony Fauci exemplifies expert power through his extensive medical expertise and role as a chief medical advisor. His scientific knowledge and credentials grant him influence over public health policy and opinions (French & Raven, 1959). During health crises like COVID-19, Fauci’s expert power led to increased public trust, affecting health behaviors and policy acceptance. His authority derives from his specialized knowledge and expertise in infectious diseases.

Conclusion

The analysis of these four media figures underscores how different sources of power operate in the media landscape. Musk’s coercive power manipulates compliance; Oprah’s reward power influences consumer and industry behavior; Obama’s legitimate power commands authority through his formal role; and Fauci’s expert power guides public health decisions. Recognizing these sources enhances our understanding of influence in media and communication.

References

• French, J. R. P., & Raven, B. (1959). The bases of social power. In D. Cartwright (Ed.), Studies in social power (pp. 150–167). University of Michigan.
• Kipnis, D., Schmidt, S. M., & Wilkinson, I. M. (1980). In pursuit of message power: Influence, leadership, and the use of reward and punishment. Organizational Dynamics, 9(4), 54-65.
• Author, A. A. (Year). Title of textbook. Publisher.
• Additional references as needed from scholarly sources on media influence and power theories.