INFLUENCING GOVERNMENT PUBLIC OPINION, THE MEDIA, & INTEREST GROUPS.

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PUBLIC OPINIONWhat is it?

• ideas and attitudes most hold about a particular issue/person

• Elected officials listen to public opinion!•Why?•need popular support for their decisions (in most cases)•help to make timely & effective decisions

What are potential results of an elected official making decisions in government that are not supported by the majority?

WHAT SHAPES PUBLIC OPINION?• An Individual’s Personal Background• age, gender, income, race, religion, occupation, residence, etc.

• Mass Media•What does this include?• How might access to media influence public opinion?

• Public Officials• respect for their opinions on issues• officials try to be persuasive!

• Interest Groups (“Pressure Groups”)• a group of people who share a point of view about an issue & unite to promote it• persuasion is goal!• Examples of interest groups?

HOW IS PUBLIC OPINION MEASURED?

1. ANALYZING ELECTION RESULTS: What could possibly be revealed about public opinion by

interpreting election results? For what reasons may this be an unreliable source of public

opinion?

2. TAKING A PUBLIC OPINION POLL: individual responses to surveys

random samples (approx. 1500 diverse people surveyed) pollsters: Gallup; Pew

followed by elected officials/candidates informs their decision-making

possible negative effects of polling: the wording of survey questions may affect survey results politicians may try to please the public (vs. making wise decisions)

PUBLIC OPINION POLL:APPROVAL RATING OF PRESIDENT

G.W. BUSH, 2001-2008

THE MEDIAWhat does it include?• A print medium• newspapers, magazines, books

• An electronic medium• TV, radio, Internet

• The Media influences public agenda: • problems & issues considered most important by the gov’t!

What are some recent examples of ways by which the media has shaped our current government’s public agenda?

THE MEDIAWhat roles does the Media play in influencing

government?

1. Shapes public agenda

2. Shapes public opinion

3. Coverage of candidates running for office potential benefits/drawbacks for candidates?

4. Elected officials are linked to the public means of informing the public/constituents media may leak info. from gov’t get public reaction

5. Watchdog role monitors gov’t actions helps to hold gov’t accountable

PROPAGANDA What is propaganda?

ideas that may involve misleading messages designed to manipulate people

Who uses propaganda in the media?political parties & candidatesinterest groupsbusinesses/corporations

7 major propaganda strategies used in the media:

7 PROPAGANDA TECHNIQUES1. The Bandwagon:

“Everyone else is doing it, so join in!”

2. Name-calling: direct attack on another group/person makes you

question your trust in opponent

3. “Endorsement” celebrity or reputable group gives support

4. “Stacked Cards” reveals only one side of an issue emphasizes the positive

7 PROPAGANDA TECHNIQUES

5. “Glittering Generality” appeals to one’s emotions by focusing on a very

general idea “If you elect me, I will bring you peace and

prosperity.”

6. “Just Plain Folks” attempts to make connection to the common

citizen

7. “Transfer” associating symbol(s) with a product/candidate

Which propaganda techniques are used in the following corporate advertisements?

MEDIA FREEDOMS & LIMITATIONS Media Freedoms:

1st Amendment Rights the Media is free from prior restraint: no gov’t

censorship of material before it is published

Media Limitations:no libel: false information that is published that harms someone’s reputation

limitations to protecting media sourcesregulation by FCC (Federal Communications Commission)

regulates broadcast media heavy fines for breaking its rules

INTEREST GROUPS What are they, again?:

organizations of people who unite to promote their ideas

Which Amendment protects interest groups?

TYPES OF INTEREST GROUPSEconomic

ex. US Chamber of Commerce

Worker ex. AFL-CIO (American Federation of Labor –

Congress of Industrial Organizations)

Professional ex. AMA (American Medical Association)

Social Groups ex. NOW (Nat’l Org. for Women); NAACP (Nat’l

Assoc. for the Advancement of Colored People)

Special Causes ex. NRA (National Rifle Association)

INTEREST GROUPS’ INFLUENCE ON OUR GOVERNMENT

An interest group’s main goal = influence public policy

To do this…interest groups focus on influencing elections, the courts, & lawmakers.

How do they do this? back candidates for office raise & donate money to campaigns

PACs (Political Action Committees) may use court cases to argue a law/gov’t

policy is unconstitutional lobby lawmakers

lobbyist = representative of an interest group or corporation draft bills persuade & make agreements with

politicians provide information to representatives

WHAT IS THE OPINION EXPRESSED IN EACH POLITICAL CARTOON?