05 Public Opinion and the Government

Which role of the free press is being carried out when media allows for "opinion journalism"

Creating the impression that “everyone” supports a cause or candidate.

What is media bias?

Which role of the free press is being carried out when media is covering corruption in Presidential Administrations

Devices connected to the internet that can now give us instant news, changing our habits and news consumption.

The total or sum of many individual opinions, beliefs, or attitudes about a person or issue.

Which of these is NOT a reason public opinion is important?

Which role of the free press is being carried out when media makes decisions on what issues to present to the public

Based on the access these people have to media, "their" opinions can become "our" opinions.

Ideas spread to influence people, can be positive or negative.

These people/ groups try to influence the government to further their specific goals.

Using symbols or images that evoke emotion to relate the feeling to a candidate or position.

Using personal attacks on an opponent to distract voters from the real issues of the campaign.

This was the most popular form of media until the 1950s, is mainly newspapers and magazines.

Having a well-known celebrity or personality endorse a candidate or proposal.

Presenting facts, statistics, and other evidence that support only one side of an argument.

The use of folksy images and language to show that the candidate is regular person who understands common people.

Why is the formation of public opinion so difficult?

Surveys used to determine what the public is thinking, these measure public opinion.

Using vague, sweeping statements that appeal to voters emotionally but don’t actually say anything specific.

Means of communication that reaches a large audience. Includes: newspapers, magazines, radio, television, the internet.

Radio and Television programs, most used to be an hour long but now there are many 24 hour news programming stations.

When analyzing a poll, what is the first thing you need to do?