Media Bias

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RESEARCH PROJECT: HOW THE MEDIA REFLECTS AND SHAPES PUBLIC OPINION
Currently, the media is buzzing with information, stories and scandals, exploiting and liberating, whilst also recounting history as it occurs. Often quite controversial, the media claims to report a reflection of public opinion, but in doing so, does it influence our opinions and ideas of society? Are we merely conformed to believe the headlines that we see painted on newspapers, magazines and news broadcasts? Or do we all simply believe the content that is published throughout hundreds of publications?
Power depends on the capacity to influence people’s minds by intervening in the process of socialised communication, and the media displays this well. Throughout history communication …show more content…

As evident by the graph present, 66% of survey participants felt that areas of politics, immigration and prominent social issues are regularly presented throughout the media in one persistent light, often being quite negative. It can be noted that the highest levels of bias, as reflected by the survey participants, were present through issues of politics and social issues, due mainly by the sensationalised views of media publishers. The area of Politics, especially in US based publications, is largely biased by publishers to project a particular view and shape the minds of readers, all of which was abundantly present throughout the news coverage of the 2017 presidential election, which saw to the coverage of the brutality and negativity of the Trump party and downfall of the exposure of these issues at the hands of sensationalised views of publishers. Similarly, strong social issues (feminism, sexism and homophobia) are frequently undermined by the spread of ignorance and misinformation. Feminists are projected as Feminazis, sexism is often remarked as comical and ‘just how things are,’ and homophobia is projected abundantly. Through incorrect information covered about these issues, ignorance is created and nurtured. With independent news outlets like Buzz Feed, The New Yorker, Activist Post and small online blogs, these issues are given the coverage they deserve and the tools to work towards positive

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