Print Media Effects

Paper Summary:

In this article, the writer discusses that print media has a great influence on the policy making process because it is the link between those that make policies and the beneficiaries of those policies, namely the general public. The writer notes that the media, printed media included, plays a very important role in American society. Its main role is that of informing the public, and for this alone it has the power to reach as many as possible. The writer points out that print media, unlike other types of media, is consumed by those interested in the issues revealed by a specific publication. Those that follow political print media are clearly individuals that are interested in the issues raised and so political information and investigations reach an interested public. The writer concludes that the media is not entirely fair or just and it sometimes fails to cover both sides of a story, thus taking advantage of its power. Even considering these disadvantages, one can conclude that the media has a great influence in politics and policy-making.

From the Paper:

"Print media, because of its daily or periodic reporting, has the ability to bring to the public attention all types of political issues, even exposing some problems and be the first to draw attention on a specific topic. This kind of power of influencing policy making and even dictating what subject must be discussed in political circles makes print media the most powerful organism in a state. Print media draws attention on a subject that attracts public interest and because of the public interest generated by a media story, politicians are forced to consider the subject and even create their policies around the interest shown by the media public. Considering that we are all media consumers, political issues reach every one of us and so we are aware of what is going on at the highest political level."

Sample of Sources Used:

• Barker, Michael, Manufacturing policies: the media's role in the policy making process, 2005, available at http://live-wirez.gu.edu.au/jea.papers/Barker.doc;
• Davis, Richard and Diana Owen, New Media and American Politics, Oxford University Press, 1998;
• The Media Influence on American Society In Politics, October 29, 2006, available at http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.jsp?articleId=281474976826497.

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