Question
For this assignment, you will write a 3 page argumentative paper that examines the specific case of media influence
over the political world.
Choose a specific political issue dominating a present news cycle. The purpose of your analysis is to reveal how this
particular issue is framed across the four different forces of social integration and the social construction of reality.
First, explain the choice of media text that serves as an example of framing a particular political issue serving the
specific interests of the framer. Next, explain the ways in which media influence of the political world operates to
create a spectacle of political inclusion for average viewers/voters. In what ways does this framing disserve or inhibit
the inclusion of average audiences into the social construction of reality?
In the critical phase of your argumentative essay, include a discussion of the empirical evidence/facts omitted from the
mass media framing of the issue you choose to analyze.
Answer
Argumentative paper that examines the specific case of media influence over the political world
With the advancement of technology, it has become far much easier for media houses to transfer information from one point to another than ever before. Due to its different outlets, mass media has become one of the most influential fields in the world today. Over the years, this sector has gone through a tremendous revolution ranging from print media to online media nowadays. With technology, citizens around the globe have an opportunity to own a mobile and Smartphone which is an important tool to help them access information quickly and at a low price. In addition, the presence of social media platforms has enabled people to get real-time updates on what is happening in every corner of the world. However, social media and media, in general, can be constructive or destructive depending on how people use it. This paper seeks to describe and give an example of how media affects the political world.
With the United States presidential around the corner, most of the social media outlets and news are intensively discussing and analyzing the poll opinions as well as scrutinizing every aspirant to ensure all the citizens are aware of details concerning the aspirants. News bloggers and media houses take sides when it comes to political issues despite the requirement that they remain neutral so that they can give reliable information to the citizens. Interestingly, new bloggers at times go to the extent of campaigning for their favorite candidates through positive information about them while as they post negative information about other aspirants. Given the faith that some of the citizens have on media people, they will definitely sway width their favorite media personnel and support who the artist or the media person is supporting (Entman, 2007). However, not all the information posted on the social media platform is true especially political information and at times, such information can create bad blood between members of the public on the lines of their aspirants. In worst cases, this biased political news may lead to political turmoil in a country. Social media platforms in most cases become the victims of spreading such news. Of recent, there was a tweet saying that Donald trump’s Make America Great Again Hats are made in China.
A good and developed society should have strong principles by which individuals and the nation at large basis their interactions in order to achieve national unity and social integration. Moreover, a healthy society should be able to share knowledge and examine the development of a jointly constructed understanding of the world that forms the basis of their shared assumptions about reality. However, this can only be achieved if the members of the society learn how to distinguish truth from the biased news. Some of the ways the media uses to inhibit social integration and social construction of reality include:
- Blind imitation – large percentage of the population, especially the youths, are known to be the best imitators of most of the things that they(Ariyanto, 2007) see in the news ranging from glamor industry to lifestyle. In the same manner, the youths are known most of the things they see and hear from the media and thus changing the way of life and beliefs in which the community has known for years.
- Negativity – most of the news in the media and programs aired through most of the channels creates a negative mentality to those exposed to it. Early exposure to violent films and news portraying ugly social practices impacts the lives and mind of the young generation and thus changing the principles of social integration and social construction of reality. When the children are exposed to such context at an early age, it becomes even more difficult and later stages in life to differentiate between good and bad.
- Information overload – due to the addictive nature of the media, it makes most of the individuals to stay glued to their screens and Smartphone. As a result, individuals become overloaded with information that may not be true and may not have any value in their lives. At such situation, it becomes difficult for such individuals to differentiate between the truth and media bias leading to fall of social integration principles.
- Fact-fantasy confusion – most of the information in the media may not be true and in most cases may all just be fantasy. Media plays the role of propagating biased information making it seem like the truth, and thus it becomes difficult to differentiate between facts and fantasy, and this makes it hard for the society to maintain principles of social integration and social construction of reality(Gasper, 2011).
As a matter of fact, all the hat that Trump was using in his campaign were in fact made in America but through social media, the biased news was spread forcing him to address this widespread hatred of hypocrisy. From this example, it is correct and clear to conclude that it has become very difficult to differentiate what is true and what is not true. At times, media personality is using the media to spread the news that has no basis and thus inhibiting principles of social integration.
References
Ariyanto, A. H. (2007). Group allegiances and perceptions of media bias taking into account both the perceiver and the source. . Group Processes & Intergroup Relations, 10(2), , 266-279.
Entman, R. M. (2007). Framing bias: Media in the distribution of power. . Journal of communication, 57(1), , 163-173.
Gasper, J. T. (2011). Shifting ideologies? Re-examining media bias. Quarterly . Journal of Political Science, 6(1), , 85-102.
