The relation between mass media & politics

Political parties and party leaders use mass media as a platform to influence the political opinion of citizens. They also use mass media to influence and control public opinion on their behalf. Similarly, mass media can play a vital role in completely changing public opinion about a political party or its leader. In other words, political information accessed by the people plays a crucial role in improving or strengthening their perspective regarding the objectives of certain political parties. There are many more aspects of the relation between mass media and politics. Some of these features have been discussed below.

Coverage of meetings and rallies on television channels

Moreover, political leaders often use various mass media platforms like newspapers and television to inform the public about multiple agendas and programs, to be held by them. Live coverage of rallies and political meetings on television news channels also tells the people of the political condition of the nation. People evaluate what the political leaders are speaking about in the sessions. It also gives the viewer a chance to understand the objectives of political leaders. The public is informed about the political status of the nation, based on how these gatherings are aired on television, Say, for instance, a television channel compares the turn out in of one party's political meeting with another. In such a case, the viewer can quickly identify the collective opinion of the public. It can thus be concluded that the list of the political party, which has seen a better turnout, is favored by the public. The viewer can then decide what stance to take based on public opinion. He can either choose to oppose or support the public view. Hence, coverage of political meetings and rallies by various television channels can go a long way in consolidated public opinion regarding the political condition of a country.

Newspaper reports and providing political information

Another mass media platform preferred by political leaders in newspapers. Newspaper reporters must provide the public with accurate and authentic information about various incidents. This will help people develop unbiased political perspectives. If a political event has occurred in a far corner of your country, then you will get information about it through newspaper reports. Based on these incidents, you can form an opinion regarding the socio-political condition of your nation. The onus of reporting the incident with honesty lies with the news reporter and the newspaper editor. However, in most cases, the reports provided by newspapers are genuine and free of prejudices. Unbiased newspaper reports play a vital role in influencing the political opinions of citizens of a country. Thus, a paper not only provides readers with information but is a bridge between the public and political parties.

Moreover, newspapers often carry out elaborate interviews with political leaders. These interviews give the newspaper reader an insight into the objectives and agendas of the political leader and his party. This, too, can help influence the political perspective of the readers. Political leaders often use interviews and media conferences to get their standpoint and position across to the public. Media conferences and how the political leaders have answered the questions posed by the reporters help shape public opinion about a political leader and his party.

Magazines as a part of mass media 

Magazines are not just extensions of newspapers. Reports published in magazines can help influence the political opinion of citizens of a country. Opinions voiced by social scientists are often printed in the form of editorials in magazines. Although these are personal opinions, readers often accept these implicitly. That is because the opinions voiced by social scientists are unbiased and free of prejudices. They use the views of great thinkers, to develop their own. Social scientists provide various perspectives on a unique political situation. This can help people understand the political condition of their country in a better manner. This, too, can help influence the political thought process of a nation as a whole.

Social media as a part of mass media

With the advent of various social media platforms, political leaders have started using these to shape the political opinion of people. The younger generation of voters mostly accesses social media platforms. Yet the impact of political information sent through these platforms can prove to be quite permanent. In other words, if a political leader uses the social media platform intelligently, he can convert public opinion on his behalf.

Similarly, if unfavorable information about a political leader is aired on social media platforms, then public opinion will go against him. Thus, the political information released by political parties on social media platforms should be carefully evaluated before being made public. Social media platforms also provide news and information regarding the political condition of a nation. Since social media became accessible through mobile devices, its coverage became greater. Anyone with a mobile device and an internet connection can set up profiles on social media platforms. Once the profile is created, he can access all types of information through these platforms. Sometimes social media platforms also have forums where people can carry out political discussions. By participating in such studies, people can become politically aware. Thus, with the expansion of social media and its impact on people, the various social media platforms have become a part of mass media. Moreover, the ability of social media platforms to influence public opinion has also been accepted by politicians, social scientists, and statisticians. Hence, it is not possible to underplay the role played by social media, as a part of mass media, to shape the political opinion of the public.

Thus, various mass media platforms play crucial roles in influencing the political opinions of the people of a nation. Without these platforms access information, political and otherwise would be impossible. So mass media plays a significant role in ensuring the political stability of a country is maintained. It will also not be very wrong to say that one is dependent on one another for both information and survival.

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Author: Frank Taylor