Spring Test 2: Political Parties, Mass Media, & Elections

Public Opinion

• the use of public platforms, such as social media, as a platform for political issues.

• an act of giving one's public approval or support to someone or something

• the ideas and attitudes that people hold about elected officials, candidates, government, and political issues.

• the use of language to defame, demean, or degrade individuals or group

Mass media

• a mechanism of mass communication, including television, radio, the Internet, newspapers, magazines, books, recordings, and movies

• to measure public opinions and attitudes about a particular issue, person, or topic

• the media's ability to focus public attention on particular issues

• the use of language to defame or promote individuals or groups.

interest group

• 
  a group of people who share a point of view about an issue and unite to promote their beliefs

• 
  

  a meeting at which local members of a political party register their preference among candidates running for office

• a group that focuses on elections and getting the candidate who bests represents their interests elected by slandering & exposing flaws of opponents

• make the public feel that the candidate is just like them and has their best interest at heart

public opinion poll

• surveys that are used to get information from constituients on their likes and dislikes of public places

• sample of voter opinions that set the norm for public expectations

• poll that government uses to track what constituients are willing to spend their money on

• a survey in which individuals are asked to answer questions about a particular issue or person

Why is public opinion important in a democracy?

• for lobbyists to supply information to lawmakers that will help them in their work

• to make citizens feel like thier voice is constantly being heard

• when you join an interest group, you pool your resources and increase your influences

• allows citizens to influence the decicsions leaders make and lawmakers can accurately represent the views oif their constituents.

What are three sources (influences) of public opinion?

• social media personalities, musicians, parents

• The president, state governors, and local politicians

• personal background, mass media, and interest groups

• Pastors, teachers, and coaches

How can newspapers and other media influence public opinion?

• by hosting contests and giveaways

• by running commerial ads with celebrities that are popular

• by exposing all the truths and scandles of government

• by deciding what issues to report to the public and how much coverage the issues will get

How do interest groups influence public opinion?

• Indirectly through electors

• by campaigning and gaining seats in office

• lobby to promote their interests, nominate cadidates & fund poliitical agendas that support their cause

• the role played by a media organization that exposes illegal practices or waste

How does the media influence the public agenda?

• a propaganda technique that presents only one side of the issue, often distorting the facts

• They might use it to gain the approval of the public and/or manipulate the public.

• Because the media has the power to focus the public's attention on a particular issue.

• the use of language to defame, demean, or degrade individuals or groups

How do public officials and the media depend on each other?

• media helps recruit candidates for public roles that will protect them from slander lawsuits so they can report on wrongdoings

• public officials need the media for campaign ads and media needs officals for funding

• media needs information to write articles. Public officials need the media to get their message out to the voters.

• 
  An electoral partnership that controls what, how, and when issues will reported to the public