4 min read•Last Updated on August 16, 2024
The media plays a crucial role in shaping political communication and public opinion. It serves as the primary source of political information, influencing how citizens perceive issues, candidates, and government actions. The media's agenda-setting power determines which topics dominate public discourse.
New media, particularly social media, has revolutionized political campaigning and information dissemination. It allows direct communication between politicians and voters, enables microtargeting of messages, and accelerates the spread of both information and misinformation. This shift has fundamentally altered how political narratives form and spread.
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Information Sources: Bias – Introduction to College Research View original
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The Impact of the Media – American Government (2e) View original
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Disinformation, Agenda, and Influence - Sensemaking Resources, Education, and Community View original
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Disinformation, Agenda, and Influence - Sensemaking Resources, Education, and Community View original
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Information Sources: Bias – Introduction to College Research View original
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The Impact of the Media – American Government (2e) View original
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Disinformation, Agenda, and Influence - Sensemaking Resources, Education, and Community View original
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Information Sources: Bias – Introduction to College Research View original
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The 24/7 news cycle refers to the continuous and around-the-clock dissemination of news through various media platforms, driven by the demand for immediate updates and instant access to information. This constant flow of news impacts how political events are reported, consumed, and interpreted, often leading to a culture where news is rapidly produced and consumed, prioritizing speed over depth.
Term 1 of 30
The 24/7 news cycle refers to the continuous and around-the-clock dissemination of news through various media platforms, driven by the demand for immediate updates and instant access to information. This constant flow of news impacts how political events are reported, consumed, and interpreted, often leading to a culture where news is rapidly produced and consumed, prioritizing speed over depth.
Term 1 of 30
The 24/7 news cycle refers to the continuous and around-the-clock dissemination of news through various media platforms, driven by the demand for immediate updates and instant access to information. This constant flow of news impacts how political events are reported, consumed, and interpreted, often leading to a culture where news is rapidly produced and consumed, prioritizing speed over depth.
Term 1 of 30
Agenda-setting refers to the process by which the media influences the importance placed on the topics of the public agenda. It is a key function of media, as it shapes what issues are considered important by highlighting specific events, controversies, or topics. This can affect public opinion and political priorities, as well as guide policymakers in determining which issues require their attention and action.
framing: Framing involves presenting an issue in a particular way to influence how it is perceived by the audience, affecting the interpretation and understanding of that issue.
public opinion: Public opinion refers to the collective attitudes and beliefs of individuals on various issues, which can be shaped by media coverage and agenda-setting.
media bias: Media bias occurs when journalists or news organizations present information in a partial or prejudiced manner, impacting how certain issues are prioritized and discussed.
Social media refers to online platforms and applications that enable users to create, share, and exchange content, including text, images, videos, and opinions. It has transformed communication by providing a space for individuals and organizations to engage with a larger audience in real-time. Social media has become essential for political communication, influencing public perception and engagement during elections and governance.
User-generated content: Content created by users of an online platform rather than by the platform itself or professional creators.
Influencer: An individual who has the power to affect the purchasing decisions or opinions of others because of their authority, knowledge, position, or relationship with their audience.
Viral marketing: A marketing strategy that encourages individuals to share a marketing message to other individuals, creating the potential for exponential growth in brand awareness or sales.
Microtargeting is a data-driven marketing strategy used in politics to identify and reach specific groups of voters with tailored messages. This approach relies on detailed voter data and analytics to create personalized communication, which can significantly influence election outcomes and voter engagement. By leveraging social media and other digital platforms, campaigns can optimize their outreach efforts, ensuring that the right message reaches the right people at the right time.
Data Analytics: The process of examining large datasets to uncover patterns, correlations, and insights that can inform decision-making and strategy.
Voter Segmentation: The practice of dividing the electorate into distinct groups based on demographics, behaviors, or interests to tailor campaign messages.
Digital Advertising: Using online platforms to deliver promotional content to targeted audiences, often utilizing data insights to maximize effectiveness.
The CNN effect refers to the influence that news coverage, particularly through television media like CNN, has on public perception and government policy during international crises. This phenomenon highlights how the immediacy and emotional impact of live broadcasts can shape political responses, drive public opinion, and compel government actions in real-time.
Media Framing: The way media presents and structures information, influencing how audiences interpret issues and events.
Agenda-Setting: The process by which the media prioritizes certain topics, thereby shaping what the public considers important.
Public Opinion: The collective attitudes and beliefs of individuals on various issues, influenced by media coverage and political communication.
Framing is the process by which the media presents information and shapes the perception of issues, events, or topics by highlighting certain aspects while downplaying others. This technique influences public opinion and can affect how individuals interpret news stories, thereby shaping political discourse. The way an issue is framed can lead audiences to draw specific conclusions or understandings that align with particular viewpoints.
Agenda-setting: The media's ability to influence the importance placed on topics through the selection of what news to cover.
Priming: The process by which media exposure influences the criteria by which individuals evaluate political figures or issues.
Spin: A form of framing where information is presented in a biased way to promote a particular interpretation or perspective.
Confirmation bias is the tendency to search for, interpret, favor, and recall information in a way that confirms one's preexisting beliefs or hypotheses. This cognitive shortcut can lead individuals to ignore evidence that contradicts their views, especially in political communication, where media often amplifies selective exposure to information that aligns with personal or group ideologies.
Selective exposure: The practice of favoring information sources that align with one's existing beliefs while avoiding those that challenge them.
Echo chamber: An environment where a person only encounters information or opinions that reinforce their own, creating a closed loop of validation.
Cognitive dissonance: The mental discomfort experienced when holding two or more contradictory beliefs, values, or ideas, which can lead to an alteration in beliefs to reduce this dissonance.
Filter bubbles refer to the algorithm-driven environments that tailor online content to individual users based on their previous interactions, preferences, and behavior. This phenomenon can significantly impact political communication by isolating users from diverse viewpoints, creating echo chambers where only similar opinions are reinforced. As a result, people may become less exposed to opposing perspectives and critical information, affecting the overall political discourse.
Echo Chamber: An environment where individuals are exposed only to beliefs and opinions that reinforce their own, often through social media and news platforms.
Algorithmic Bias: The tendency of algorithms to produce outcomes that favor certain groups or perspectives based on the data they were trained on, often leading to skewed information.
Personalization: The process of tailoring content and advertisements to individual users based on their behavior, preferences, and interactions online.
The 24/7 news cycle refers to the continuous and around-the-clock dissemination of news through various media platforms, driven by the demand for immediate updates and instant access to information. This constant flow of news impacts how political events are reported, consumed, and interpreted, often leading to a culture where news is rapidly produced and consumed, prioritizing speed over depth.
Breaking News: A news story that is currently unfolding or developing and requires immediate reporting, often interrupting regular programming.
Media Saturation: A condition where the media is flooded with information, leading to difficulties in discerning what is most important or accurate.
Social Media Influence: The impact that social media platforms have on public discourse and how news is shared and engaged with by audiences.
User-generated content refers to any form of content, such as text, images, videos, and reviews, that is created and shared by individuals rather than professional organizations or brands. This type of content has become a significant part of online communication, especially in the context of social media and political discourse, as it allows everyday people to express their views, engage with others, and influence public opinion.
Social Media: Platforms that allow users to create, share, and interact with content and other users, significantly impacting communication and engagement in politics.
Digital Activism: The use of digital tools and platforms to promote social or political change, often leveraging user-generated content for mobilization and awareness.
Influencer Marketing: A marketing strategy that focuses on using influential individuals to promote products or ideas, often relying on user-generated content to build trust and engagement.
Citizen journalism refers to the practice of ordinary individuals reporting news and sharing information through various media platforms, often using digital tools and social media. This form of journalism empowers everyday people to act as reporters, bringing attention to stories that might be overlooked by traditional media outlets and enabling broader participation in the news narrative.
Social Media: Digital platforms that allow users to create and share content, facilitating communication and interaction among individuals and communities.
Blogging: The act of creating and maintaining a personal website or blog where individuals can express their opinions, share information, and report on events.
Crowdsourcing: The practice of obtaining information or services from a large group of people, often through the internet, to enhance reporting or gather data.
False balance refers to a journalistic practice where opposing viewpoints are presented as equally valid, regardless of their actual merit or the weight of evidence supporting each side. This often leads to distorted reporting, where fringe opinions are given the same level of importance as well-supported scientific consensus, thus misleading the audience about the truth of an issue.
Media Bias: The tendency of journalists and news producers to report stories in a way that is partial to one side, rather than presenting a balanced viewpoint.
Framing: The way information is presented and structured by media outlets, which can influence public perception and interpretation of an issue.
Agenda Setting: The ability of the media to influence the importance placed on the topics of public discourse, effectively shaping what issues are prioritized in political communication.
Media literacy education refers to the process of developing critical thinking skills necessary to access, analyze, evaluate, and create media in various forms. It equips individuals with the ability to understand how media influences perceptions, behaviors, and societal norms, thereby fostering informed citizenship in a democratic society. This education plays a crucial role in enabling people to discern the reliability and bias of information, especially in the context of political communication.
Critical Thinking: The ability to think clearly and rationally, understanding the logical connection between ideas and evaluating arguments.
Media Bias: The perceived or real bias of journalists and news producers within the mass media, which can affect the information presented to the public.
Information Overload: A state in which an individual is exposed to an excessive amount of information, making it challenging to make informed decisions or discern what is relevant.
Fake news refers to misinformation or hoaxes that are presented as legitimate news, often with the intent to mislead or manipulate public opinion. This phenomenon has gained significant attention in recent years, particularly in relation to political communication, as it can distort the truth and influence voter perceptions and behaviors. Fake news can be spread through various media channels, including social media platforms, making it a powerful tool for shaping political narratives and public discourse.
disinformation: Disinformation is false information deliberately spread to deceive others, often for political gain or to create confusion.
media literacy: Media literacy refers to the ability to access, analyze, evaluate, and create media content critically, enabling individuals to discern credible information from falsehoods.
confirmation bias: Confirmation bias is the tendency to search for, interpret, and remember information in a way that confirms one's pre-existing beliefs or opinions.
Disinformation campaigns are coordinated efforts to spread false or misleading information with the intention of manipulating public opinion or obscuring the truth. These campaigns often exploit social media and traditional media channels to reach a wide audience, making it difficult for individuals to discern fact from fiction. They play a significant role in shaping political narratives and influencing electoral processes, particularly in the age of digital communication.
Propaganda: Information, especially biased or misleading information, used to promote a particular political cause or point of view.
Misinformation: False or misleading information that is spread regardless of intent, which can lead to confusion and misunderstanding.
Fake News: Deliberately fabricated news stories designed to mislead readers, often used as a tool in disinformation campaigns.
Fact-checking organizations are independent entities that evaluate the accuracy of claims made by public figures, news outlets, and various media. They play a vital role in promoting transparency and accountability in political communication by providing evidence-based assessments of statements, helping to combat misinformation in the media landscape.
Misinformation: False or misleading information that is spread regardless of intent, which can impact public perception and discourse.
Media Literacy: The ability to access, analyze, evaluate, and create media in various forms, equipping individuals to discern credible information from falsehoods.
Transparency: The practice of being open and honest about processes, decisions, and information, crucial for fostering trust between the public and institutions.
Spin refers to the strategic manipulation of information and media coverage to create a favorable perception of an event, policy, or individual, particularly in political contexts. This technique is often employed by politicians, their advisors, and public relations professionals to influence public opinion and shape narratives in a way that highlights positive aspects while downplaying negatives. Effective spin can significantly impact how events are understood by the public and can play a crucial role in political communication.
Public Relations: A field focused on managing the spread of information between an individual or organization and the public, often using strategic communication to shape public perception.
Media Bias: The perceived or actual partiality of journalists and news producers within the mass media, which can affect how news is reported and interpreted.
Framing: The presentation of an issue or event in a particular way that influences how it is perceived, often used in conjunction with spin to emphasize certain aspects while minimizing others.
The revolving door refers to the phenomenon where individuals move between roles as legislators and regulators and positions in the industries affected by the legislation and regulation they once oversaw. This movement can lead to conflicts of interest, as former officials may use their insider knowledge to benefit private companies, while the industries gain valuable influence over public policy.
Lobbying: The act of attempting to influence decisions made by officials in the government, often involving direct contact with legislators or regulatory agencies.
Regulatory Capture: A situation where regulatory agencies are dominated by the industries they are supposed to regulate, often resulting in policies that benefit the industry rather than the public.
Conflict of Interest: A situation in which a person or organization is involved in multiple interests, one of which could potentially corrupt the motivation for an act in another.