Politics in the Media
Overview
Politics and media go hand in hand with each other and have been studied for centuries. We can look all the way back and even see in early America (late 1700’s) both parties set up national networks of newspapers to provide a flow of partisan news and information for their supporters as well as attack each other vigorously. Many researcher wanted to know what are the general effects of being exposed to this type of media and how does it change the way we think. After decades of research two notable theories have came out of it. One being the spiral of silence theory and the other being the game schema theory. Both of these theories take a look into what are the effects and outcome after being exposed to politics in the media. The term spiral of silence was coined in 1974 but Elisabeth Noelle-Neumann, who was no rookie when it came to the causes and effects around public opinion. In 1947, shortly after the end of WW2, Neumann and her husband founded “Public Opinion Organization” in Germany and then went on to be the President of the “World Association for Public Opinion Research”. Elisabeth was intrigued when it came to opinion expression and what restricts it. She stated that the spiral of silence was coined this name because of the way social groups or societies might isolate or exclude members due their opinion. This stipulates that individuals have a fear of isolation. Where the media comes into play is by influencing what the dominant idea is which in turn makes it the peoples perception of what the dominant idea is. Then the perceptions of what the public opinion is, informed by our mediated engagement will shape how we think and behave. Elisabeth found that people are less likely to speak their mind on a topic that they believe to be currently a minority in regards of fear of being isolated. Now hold on to that thought as I begin to explain the game schema theory. The game schema theory is a slightly newer and less renown theory but however just as salient, it states that journalist focus too much on the game of the elections. They’re able o manipulate public opinion by focusing on certain aspects of the election that could have profound implications. The problem here is that this treatment by journalists involves not treating the election as an issue based contest but instead all about winning the ‘game’ or wanting your side to win.People are losing their ability to effectively engage in the democratic processes because they are too focused on the game or the choosing and support of a particular side. This is proven to cause poor voting decisions because instead of voting for who would actually be better suite to help and lift up communities are thrown out because were voting based on their images and exposure in the media along with false allegiances.
Media Loves Politics
As we go more into depth I want you to think about reality of the world around you and how the media could’ve skewed your opinion. The more you are aware of the problems to more obvious they become once light is shed upon them. We can apply these theories to the election we are currently encountering right now.
The idea of sides (left or right) makes news media more functional because it creates conflict. One thing I have noticed with the Trump administration more than any of the others I’ve lived through is that his following is immense and they stand by whatever he does or says. Unlike anything I’ve ever seen his support through wearing his appearal and flying his flag has gone up over the years. which in turn has created more division because if you do not feel comfortable being on that side only leads you to have one other option, which is for Biden. The game schema effect can be seen in this election more so than ever before. It feels as though it no longer matters what these politicians have said or done its all about being on the winning side. The spiral of silence can be applied here too as well by the fact that I just mentioned how huge Trump’s support is and if you’re against him and his supporters it can be quite intimidating. When you have an opinion you know it is morally and ethically right the fear of isolation can still be a heavy influence on your shoulders, causing you not to state what you think is right solely due to the fact you are the minority opinion.
References
https://masscommtheory.com/theory-overviews/spiral-of-silence/
