The Media Elite: Moderators or Preachers of the Public Opinion?

2016 ◽  
pp. 71-97
Author(s):  
Fatima El-Issawi
Keyword(s):  
Public Opinion ◽  
The Public ◽  
The Media

10. The role of media and public opinion

2016 ◽  
Author(s):  
Piers Robinson
Keyword(s):  
Foreign Policy ◽  
Public Opinion ◽  
Policy Process ◽  
War On Terror ◽  
Policy Formulation ◽  
Persuasive Communication ◽  
The Public ◽  
Critical Approaches ◽  
The Media

This chapter examines the relevance of media and public opinion to our understanding of foreign policy and international politics. It first considers whether public opinion influences foreign policy formulation, as argued by the pluralist model, or whether the public are politically impotent, as argued by the elite model. It then explores whether the media can influence foreign policy formulation, as argued by the pluralist model, or whether the media are fundamentally subservient to the foreign policy process, as argued by the elite model. It also integrates these competing arguments with theoretical frames used in the study of international relations: namely, realism, liberalism, and critical approaches (including constructivism and post-structuralism). The chapter concludes by discussing contemporary debates concerning organized persuasive communication and the ‘war on terror’.

Public Opinion and Foreign Policy

2017 ◽  
Author(s):  
Douglas Foyle
Keyword(s):  
Foreign Policy ◽  
Public Opinion ◽  
New Media ◽  
Information Acquisition ◽  
Opinion Dynamics ◽  
Domestic Policy ◽  
The Public ◽  
The Media ◽  
New Research ◽  
Traditional Approaches

Dramatic changes in the way the public acquires information and formulates its attitudes have potentially altered the opinion and foreign policy relationship. While traditional approaches have treated public opinion on domestic and foreign matters as largely distinct, the culmination of a series of changes may eliminate the effective distinction between foreign and domestic policy, at least in terms of how the American political system operates. All the factors central to the opinion and foreign policy process, such as information acquisition, attitude formation, media effects, the effect of opinion on policy, and presidential leadership now appear to mirror the processes observed at the domestic level. This analysis reviews historical trends in the literature on public opinion and foreign policy that has focused on the rationality of the public’s opinions, the structure of its attitudes, and its influence on foreign policymaking. The traditional Almond-Lippmann consensus portrayed an emotional public with unstructured attitudes and little influence on foreign policy; however, revisionist views have described a reasonable public with largely structured views on foreign policy that can, at times, constrain and even drive those policies. More recently, the rise of “intermestic” issues, contain both domestic and international elements, such as globalization, inequality, terrorism, immigration, and climate change, have interacted to transform the domestic and international context. The bulk of this analysis highlights emerging new research directions that should be pursued in light of the changes. First, scholars should continue to evaluate the “who thinks what and why” questions with particular attention to differences between high- and low-information individuals, the effect of misinformation, and information sources. In doing so, research should build on research from non-American contexts that points to the important influences of societal and institutional factors. In addition to continued examination of traditional demographic factors such as partisanship and ideology, additional attention should turn to consider potential genetic and biological foundations of attitudes. Finally, researchers should continue to evaluate how the new media environment, including social media, affects how the public accesses information, how the media provides information, and how political elites attempt to shape both. Given these changes, scholars should consider whether it continues to make sense to treat public opinion dynamics regarding foreign policy as distinct from domestic policy and its implications.

scholarly journals Media’s Portrayal of Homosexuality and Rape as a Reflection of Cultural Acceptance?

2020 ◽  
Vol 5 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Tina C. Touitou
Keyword(s):  
Public Opinion ◽  
Video Clip ◽  
Secondary Data ◽  
The United States ◽  
The Public ◽  
Cultural Taboos ◽  
Short Video ◽  
The Media ◽  
The Government ◽  
The Military

The study focuses on media’s portrayal of homosexuality as a reflection of cultural acceptance in the society. The first representation of gay men in the United States to a national audience occurred in 1967 with the airing of a documentary titled “The Homosexuals,” which is filled with harmful, derogatory stereotypes etc. The fact that homosexual characters were mostly guest stars as opposed to leading characters also suggests that gay activist were taking a less radical approach by attempting to improve acceptance of homosexual. In Nigeria, homosexuality is a taboo, abnormal and not accepted. The media can and has with some degree of success helped break down the cultural taboos associated with sensitive sexual topics and bridge some gaps in our sexual knowledge. The paper adopted empirical secondary data, and employed cultivation theory. It proved that the media have power in shaping people’ believe and perception, and can form or modify the public opinion in different ways depending on what the objective is. For example, Pakistani media influenced the opinion against the Taliban in Swat by repeated telecast of a video clip showing whipping of a woman by a Taliban. Before that, the public opinion over the military action against the Taliban was divided, but repeated telecast of this short video clip changed the public opinion overnight in favor of the government to take action. The paper recommended that the media should take a firm stand, not playing two-edge sword on  the reportage of homosexuality, and should remain a ‘watchdog’ and the ‘mirror’ of the society.

scholarly journals Public opinion on age stereotypes during the COVID-19 pandemic

2021 ◽  
Vol 4 ◽  
pp. 29-32
Author(s):  
Gabriella Sandstig
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Public Opinion ◽  
News Media ◽  
Cognitive Abilities ◽  
Risk Group ◽  
National Sample ◽  
Age Stereotypes ◽  
The Public ◽  
Gender Education ◽  
The Media

The news media can both mirror age stereotypes held by the public, as well as contribute to constructing or amplifying them. The first risk group identified in the pandemic was older adults. They are generally not so visible in the media, but during the pandemic, they were in focus. This study analyses to what extent the public agrees with age stereotypes during the COVID-19 pandemic and what characterizes the groups that hold them. Survey data from 04/14/20-06/28/20 on a national sample (6000) of the population of Sweden is used. The results, contrary to the expectation that stereotypes of older adults should dominate the public opinion, rather the stereotype of younger people not distancing themselves enough is the most common. However, the corresponding stereotype of older adults not doing the same is the second most common. In a non-crises situation, the most common stereotype of older adults is that they have poor cognitive abilities. However, this stereotype is rare during the pandemic. The characteristic of the group that agree with the stereotypes are that they are young rather than old. There are also differences by gender, education and residential area, but they vary depending on the specific age stereotype in question.

scholarly journals Mujeres deportistas: poca visibilidad y mucho estereotipo

2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (3) ◽  
pp. 269-283
Author(s):  
Alazne Mujika-Alberdi ◽  
Iñaki García-Arrizabalaga ◽  
Juan José Gibaja-Martins
Keyword(s):  
Public Opinion ◽  
Female Athletes ◽  
Basque Country ◽  
Significant Advance ◽  
Male Athletes ◽  
The Public ◽  
The Media ◽  
Las Mujeres ◽  
Pais Vasco ◽  
Medios De Comunicacion

En el artículo se analiza la opinión ciudadana sobre la imagen de las mujeres deportistas en relación con la de los hombres deportistas en el Territorio Histórico de Gipuzkoa (País Vasco, España). En los últimos años, se constata un avance significativo en la paridad de la práctica deportiva, con resultados positivos en términos de rendimiento deportivo de las mujeres deportistas. Sin embargo, los medios de comunicación siguen ofreciendo a menudo una imagen estereotipada de las mujeres deportistas reproducida luego en la opinión pública. El artículo muestra los resultados de una encuesta realizada a la población guipuzcoana sobre la visibilidad/invisibilidad de las mujeres deportistas y los estereotipos asociados a su imagen. Los resultados indican que todavía, y a pesar de diferentes esfuerzos, las mujeres deportistas son poco visibles para la población. Tanto la notoriedad espontánea como la asistida de las mujeres deportistas es muy inferior a la de los hombres deportistas. La poca visibilidad se añade a otro problema, la perdurabilidad de los estereotipos. Se confirma la tendencia a incidir en cuestiones ligadas al aspecto físico, así como la atribución de diferentes valores según el sexo del deportista. A pesar de todo, se ha identificado una predisposición favorable hacia el consumo de deporte femenino o practicado por mujeres. En definitiva, se observan algunos pasos en la dirección hacia la paridad, pero el reto sigue aún vigente. The article analyzes the public opinion on the image of sportswomen in relation to that of sportsmen in the Historical Territory of Gipuzkoa (Basque Country, Spain). In recent years, there has been a significant advance in the parity of sports practice, with positive results in terms of sports performance of female athletes. However, the media often continue to offer a stereotypical image of female athletes later reproduced in public opinion. The article shows the results of a survey carried out among the Gipuzkoan population on the visibility / invisibility of sportswomen and the stereotypes associated with their image. The results indicate that still, and despite different efforts, female athletes are not very visible to the population. Both the spontaneous and assisted notoriety of female athletes is much lower than that of male athletes. Low visibility adds to another problem, the persistence of stereotypes. The tendency to influence issues related to physical appearance is confirmed, as well as the attribution of different values according to the athlete's sex. Despite everything, a favorable predisposition towards the consumption of sports by women or practiced by women has been identified. In short, there are some steps towards parity, but the challenge remains. O artigo analisa a opinião pública sobre a imagem das esportistas mulehres em relação à dos esportistas homens no Território Histórico de Gipuzkoa (País Basco, Espanha). Nos últimos anos, houve um avanço significativo na paridade da prática esportiva, com resultados positivos no desempenho esportivo das atletas do sexo feminino. No entanto, a mídia muitas vezes continua a oferecer uma imagem estereotipada de atletas femininas posteriormente reproduzida na opinião pública. O artigo apresenta os resultados de uma pesquisa realizada junto à população gipuzkoana sobre a visibilidade / invisibilidade das esportistas e os estereótipos associados à sua imagem. Os resultados indicam que ainda, e apesar dos esforços diferenciados, as atletas femininas não são muito visíveis para a população. Tanto a notoriedade espontânea quanto a assistida de atletas do sexo feminino é muito menor do que a dos atletas do sexo masculino. A baixa visibilidade aumenta outro problema, a persistência de estereótipos. Confirma-se a tendência de influenciar questões relacionadas à aparência física, bem como a atribuição de valores diferenciados de acordo com o sexo do atleta. Apesar de tudo, identificou-se uma predisposição favorável ao consumo de esportes por mulheres ou praticados por mulheres. Em suma, existem alguns passos em direção à paridade, mas o desafio ainda está em vigor.

scholarly journals The Role of the Public Broadcaster in Informing Montenegrin Citizens about European Integration with Special Emphasis on Chapter 27

2020 ◽  
Vol 24 (2) ◽  
pp. 147-159
Author(s):  
Nataša Ružić
Keyword(s):  
European Union ◽  
Public Opinion ◽  
European Integration ◽  
The European Union ◽  
The Public ◽  
Special Obligation ◽  
The People ◽  
Public Broadcaster ◽  
The Media ◽  
The Impact

As a media outlet established, funded and controlled by the public, the public broadcaster has a special obligation in regard to informing the people about topics of public interest in accordance with professional reporting standards. European integration represents one of these topics. bearing in mind the fact that Montenegro started its journey towards the European Union in 2008. So far, 32 chapters have been opened, excluding Chapter 8 which is related to competition. In recent years, public opinion polls have shown a decline in the number of Montenegrin citizens who support Montenegro’s accession to the EU. This result can be explained by the impact of Brexit and the pessimistic estimates of experts that the European Union is going to fall apart in the near future. It is clear that the media – above all the public broadcaster – plays an important role in the process of informing the public on the accession process and shaping public opinion. Therefore, this work shall be dedicated to an analysis of the public broadcaster’s reporting on Chapter 27 which is related to the environment and climate change. This chapter was chosen precisely because Montenegro defi nes itself as an ecological state.

scholarly journals A Análise do Discurso Ideológico do Direito e a Teoria do Agendamento Midiático / The Analysis of the Ideological Discourse of Law and the Agenda-Setting Theory

2016 ◽  
Author(s):  
Marco Aurelio Moura dos Santos ◽  
Marco Antonio Barbosa
Keyword(s):  
Public Opinion ◽  
Agenda Setting ◽  
Information Society ◽  
Legal Discourse ◽  
Court Decisions ◽  
The Public ◽  
Cause And Effect ◽  
Ideological Discourse ◽  
The Media ◽  
Setting Theory

Resumo: Aborda-se a formação do discurso ideológico do Direito e a influência do agendamento promovido pela mídia na formação da opinião pública, bem como a apropriação e/ou a influência da mídia na formação do discurso jurídico. Consta-se que as decisões judiciais cada vez mais são divulgadas e comentadas por especialistas nos meios de comunicação, especialmente as mais polêmicas, o que produz reflexividade “causa-efeito” entre os agendamentos noticiados e a consequente influência no ajuizamento de demandas, provocando a indagação se a legitimação do discurso dos profissionais do Direito sustenta-se apenas em fundamentos jurídicos e sociais ou se também sofre influência ideológica dos meios de comunicação. Conclui-se que o discurso jurídico é resultado de inúmeras ideologias, intensamente influenciadas pela opinião pública, que por sua vez também é determinada pelo agendamento promovido pela mídia.Palavras-chave: Mídia; Opinião pública; Discurso ideológico do direito; Ideologia; Sociedade da informação. Abstract: This paper deals with the formation of the ideological discourse of law and the influence that the agenda setting promoted by the media has in the formation of the public opinion, as well as with the appropriation and/or influence of the media in shaping the legal discourse. It is noted that court decisions are increasingly disclosed and commented by experts through the media, especially the most controversial, which produces a "cause and effect" reflexivity between the reported agenda and the consequent influence on the filing of demands, which causes questioning if the legitimacy of the legal practitioners’ speech supports itself only on legal and social grounds or if it is also influenced by the media. It concludes that the legal discourse is the result of many ideologies, heavily influenced by public opinion, which in turn is also determined by the agenda setting promoted by the media.Keywords: Media; Public opinion; Ideological legal speech; Ideology; Information society.

Public Opinion, Political Communication and the Internet

Politics ◽  
2002 ◽  
Vol 22 (1) ◽  
pp. 1-8 ◽  
Author(s):  
Heather Savigny
Keyword(s):  
Public Opinion ◽  
Political Parties ◽  
Political Communication ◽  
The Internet ◽  
Traditional Media ◽  
Political Actors ◽  
The Public ◽  
The Media ◽  
Democratic Principles ◽  
Potential Challenge

In contemporary society public opinion is generally mediated by the mass media, which has come to encompass the Habermasian ‘public sphere’. This arena is now characterised by the conflict between market and democratic principles, by competing interests of politicians and the media. The presentation of information for debate becomes distorted. The opinion of the ‘public’ is no longer created through deliberation, but is constructed through systems of communication, in conflict with political actors, who seek to retain control of the dissemination of information. The expansion of the internet as a new method of communication provides a potential challenge to the primacy of the traditional media and political parties as formers of public opinion.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document