How does news shape public opinion?

news shape public opinion

As the public’s demand for information increases, new media have emerged to meet it. These sources range from traditional broadcast and print to ephemeral social media. While they differ in size and scope, they all have one thing in common: They shape public opinion by influencing how people think about politics and other issues. This is accomplished in a variety of ways, from setting the agenda to priming how people evaluate politicians and political events.

For example, the media often frames how people view and evaluate a presidential candidate and their political platform. The media also sets a tone for how the national mood is perceived.

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In recent months, several key global events have dominated headlines. One of the most significant ongoing stories is the geopolitical tension between major world powers. The United States and China, for instance, continue to engage in a complex relationship characterized by both cooperation and rivalry. Issues such as trade, technology, and human rights remain central to their interactions, with global implications for economies and international relations.

While it is not possible to fully change a person’s existing worldview, the media can reinforce and strengthen those views. This occurs by selecting and presenting news that conforms to existing beliefs and attitudes. The prevailing narratives are then transmitted to the audience through television, radio, and the Internet. The media can also affect how people interpret events, ranging from a terrorist attack to the outcome of a sporting event.

How does news shape public opinion?

A person’s views about whether the news media is growing or declining in influence closely ties to their level of trust in the media. Those who have a great deal of trust in national news organizations are more likely to see their influence as increasing, while those with little or no trust in the media tend to see their influence waning (Jurkowitz et al. Reference Jurkowitz, Mitchell, Shearer and Walker2020).

The news media can also polarize the national mood by stoking fears and divisions. This is done by focusing on sensational stories that may be real, exaggerated or entirely fabricated. The result is a continuous barrage of anger and fear in the media that can cause the public to lose faith in government and in the future of their nation.

Lastly, the media can shape public opinion by directly engaging citizens in political activities, such as voting, contacting their local officials, volunteering for community service and participating in protest movements. The media can help a citizen’s sense of civic responsibility and can even affect their political engagement by shaping how they perceive the “framing” of an issue or event (Mahone and Napoli Reference Mahone and Napoli2020).

A person’s ability to discern whether a specific news source is biased and fair depends on their familiarity with it. Familiarity is especially important for those who use the internet for their news. Research shows that individuals are far more willing to select coverage from familiar media than from unfamiliar media (Jurkowitz et al.