The mass media plays an instrumental role in the development and fostering of a political culture. This is a sentiment that has come about as a result of recent technological advances, which have made it more convenient than ever before to put across political views and win over others by convincing them of the validity of these claims.
What frequently comes into debate about mass media is the extent of its influence and the exact role of this institution in the political sphere.
Do all stakeholders, such as political candidates or the potential vote bank, get equal airtime or space on the front page? Whose views get represented most appropriately when you consider the light each opinion is shown in? The masses'? Or the personal leanings of the editors, owners or journalists?
When it comes down to the case of what came first, does the media actively create political culture or simply reflect it as it has already been shaped by other factors?
What frequently comes into debate about mass media is the extent of its influence and the exact role of this institution in the political sphere.
Do all stakeholders, such as political candidates or the potential vote bank, get equal airtime or space on the front page? Whose views get represented most appropriately when you consider the light each opinion is shown in? The masses'? Or the personal leanings of the editors, owners or journalists?
When it comes down to the case of what came first, does the media actively create political culture or simply reflect it as it has already been shaped by other factors?
2 comments:
In my opinion media has had a positive effect on the political culture that prevails within a society. As a result of the technological changes that have taken place in recent years, as you have mentioned, it has become easier for people to access differing political views of others.
Previously, people were only exposed to the political views of their families and the one or two television channels that operated. Therefore, their political views were shaped by these factors only. These days, because people can read up on various different political views, prevailing political culture would then be more reflective of what people actually believe in as they have been exposed to many different views.
The extent to which mass media influence our views according to me, can somehow be measured by education. An educated person would ponder upon what the media are portraying, question and criticize it, and then develop his view. However, according to the pluralist view mass media only reflect our views which is also true to some extent as seen by interviews on TV regarding public opinion and polls. Therefore, i do not think that we can accurately measure what shapes our beliefs and to what extent, correctly.
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