The Influence of Media, on Public Opinion
The intertwining of thinking, reading, and writing evokes a bittersweet ache in my heart as if revisiting cherished memories of lost loved ones. My heart fills with warmth, buoyed by the distinct interconnectedness that fuels my motivation, undeterred by inter-cultural disses and overt put-downs. Despite the outward positivity, a subtle melancholy tinged the self-esteem scales of balance, hinting at the weight of momentary difficulties. MC Hammer’s (Oakland rapper) “You Can’t Touch This,” comes to mind. The song’s bravado serves as a crucial, self-indulgent anthem that keeps me motivated and fends off the nagging doubts of whether I truly belong here, there, or anywhere.
I cautiously navigate the world of social media, aware of the potential consequences that lurk behind every post and message.
Woven into the very fabric of human society, the media weaves a tapestry of sorrow, capturing the heartbreak and despair of countless individuals. The unseen artist delicately molds and paints the threads of public perception, their solitary work echoing with a profound sadness that seeps into the hearts of all who encounter it. Solitary work? Maybe it’s organized in the shadows. Through its strategic apathy, it quietly governs beliefs and actions, delicately weaving its way into opinions and shaping mindsets with a melancholic touch. A deliberate approach that goes beyond mere disinterest into influencing societal attitudes in ways both subtle.
Examining the concept of apathy towards media.
Media neglect is when the media remains silent on topics. A subtle form of bias that can be just as influential as overt bias. It’s like the pause between notes that adds rhythm and pace to a composition. The media’s decisions about what to overlook can have as much influence on public opinion as its choices, about what to report on. For example, reports of civilian casualties and the level of infrastructure damage caused by the Israeli IDF airstrikes have sparked international outrage. The ongoing conflict between Israel and Palestine has escalated to alarming levels, with both sides suffering immense loss and suffering. As the death toll rises and innocent lives are caught in the crossfire, the world watches in horror. The devastating consequences of this recent wave of violence grimly reminded the urgent need for a peaceful resolution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
Media coverage and social media led to global concern and domestic protests by students on college campuses. In particular, some East Coast universities have shared the spotlight with its ongoing protests and student suspensions and deportations in response.
However, in contrast, the controversial execution carried out by the Missouri Governor of a prison inmate, Marcellus Williams, has received limited media coverage including the week and months leading up to the final execution date. There have been minor protests outside of the black community organizers and Innocence Project organizations fighting for his life, pointing to evidence that could overturn his conviction. Even though the United States Supreme Court has a pro-life majority and the governor’s political party reveres the sanctity of life, he strongly opposed any petition for a stay of execution, as is his right.
But, a heaviness settles in my heart as the media coverage, focused on various news stories, seems to lack genuine concern for the human lives affected.
My heart aches as I lend my support to Sen Bernie Sanders’ resolution bill of disapproval of selling military arms to Israel, knowing the suffering and devastation it may cause. The thought of the death penalty sends shivers down my spine, the grim image of life being mercilessly extinguished. The many exonerations serve as a somber reminder that behind prison bars, innocent souls languish, their spirits crushed by the weight of unjust convictions. Yes, this is a heavy topic, but it is a burden I carry from pen to paper and keyboard to printer.
According to a study by the Pew Research Center,(1) 62% of US adults get news on social media, and 64% of them believe fake news has caused “a great deal” of confusion about basic facts of current events. This highlights how media indifference, coupled with the spread of misinformation, can distort public perception.
Understanding the causes of media apathy.
There are multiple mechanisms through which media indifference operates. The media plays a key role in setting the agenda. This discusses how the media can sway public opinion on what issues hold significance. For instance, consider the media’s role in shaping public opinion on climate change. If major news outlets choose to under-report or ignore scientific studies and evidence on climate change, the issue may not receive the attention it deserves. Consequently, the public may remain uninformed or underestimate the urgency and severity of the problem. This lack of coverage can sway public opinion and lead to a diminished sense of importance placed on addressing climate change, hindering efforts to enact necessary policies and actions. The media’s selective coverage can therefore influence the public’s perception of the significance of climate change as an issue.
Another method to accomplish this is through the use of framing. The media presents an issue through framing, which significantly influences how the public perceives that issue. By selectively ignoring certain aspects of an issue, the media can frame the issue in a way that aligns with its own interests or biases.
What is it? It’s Science.
Framing is a cognitive bias technique that involves presenting information or situations in a way that influences how people perceive and interpret them. By framing a message or problem particularly, it can evoke specific thoughts, emotions, or responses from individuals. This method can shape people’s understanding, opinions, and decision-making processes, making it a powerful tool for achieving desired outcomes or influencing behavior.
Did you believe that you needed all those kitchen gadgets, earwax removers, and eyebrow trimmers? I mean, come on! Would you be interested in exploring the options of using a slimming undergarment or a cosmetic product that removes wrinkles and helps you look younger? The media has a powerful impact, even when you are not aware or concerned, leading you to internalize body shaming and discrimination that is delivered directly to your home.
Agenda-Setting
Shaping public perception is one of the media’s powerful tools, known as the agenda-setting function. An example that perfectly exemplifies this is the issue of climate change. Even though there is an overwhelming scientific consensus on the urgency of the issue, media coverage of climate change has been sporadic and inconsistent. Because of this, there has been a noticeable absence of public awareness and concern regarding the issue, as evidenced by a Gallup poll, which shows that a mere 43% of Americans express significant worry about global warming.
By opting to neglect coverage of climate change, the media has played a significant role in shaping the public’s priorities, resulting in a worrisome disregard and inaction towards this crucial global matter.
Framing
Various mechanisms influence public perception, and one of the most powerful ones is media indifference, which plays a crucial role in shaping how people perceive certain issues. The media’s coverage of protests serves as a pertinent example. The media can shape public perception and divert attention from the underlying issues at hand by solely focusing on the violence and destruction associated with protests, neglecting the root causes that sparked these protests, and ultimately framing the protesters as violent and lawless.
The media coverage of the Black Lives Matter protests in 2020, as revealed by a study conducted by the Harvard Kennedy School, demonstrated a significant disparity in attention. Instead of focusing on the underlying issues of police brutality and racial injustice that were the catalysts for the protests, the coverage disproportionately emphasized the looting and violence associated with the demonstrations.
The media’s portrayal of the protests played a significant role in shaping public perception, potentially leading to a lack of understanding and support for the motivations behind the protests.
The influence of media indifference.
The impact of media apathy extends widely and deeply in society’s fabric. It can cause a dearth of consciousness and insight into matters, a distorted view of reality, and a deficit in well-informed conversations and initiatives regarding crucial societal concerns.
Lack of media attention can reinforce stereotypes and prejudices by presenting a biased view of the world because of the absence of varied voices and perspectives in media representation. This can deepen rifts and inequities while impeding progress toward fairness and social equality.
Sustaining existing biases
Neglecting or marginalizing certain voices and perspectives in the media perpetuates stereotypes and biases. For example, if women and minorities are consistently underrepresented in news stories about leadership positions or scientific breakthroughs, it can perpetuate the stereotype that these groups are less capable or successful in these areas. This can discourage young women and minorities from pursuing careers in these fields, further reinforcing the gender and racial disparities. Additionally, media coverage that focuses on negative aspects or criminal activities of certain minority groups can contribute to the perpetuation of racial biases and discrimination in society.
Despite comprising over 50% of the US population, women only represented 38% of news coverage in 2019, as reported by the Women’s Media Center. This underrepresentation of women in the media can reinforce gender stereotypes and biases, and shape public perception accordingly.
Impeding Social Progress
Media indifference can also impede social progress by stifling informed discourse and action on important societal issues. The lack of media coverage on issues such as climate change, poverty, and social inequality can lead to a lack of public awareness and concern, and hinder efforts towards social progress.
According to a report by the United Nations, media indifference towards poverty and inequality has contributed to a lack of public support for policies aimed at addressing these issues. This highlights how media indifference can shape public perception and impede social progress.
One example of how media indifference can shape public perception and impede social progress is the lack of coverage on marginalized communities and their struggles. When media outlets cannot report on issues faced by minority groups, it perpetuates the notion that these issues are not significant or deserving of attention. I remember bringing home school books with worn covers and marked up pages and my mom thinking I had torn up my books. She went to my school and was told that most of the students had books that were very “used.” The answer was always lack of funds and the school district having other priorities. My interpretation was they didn’t care, so I had to care about my education and myself. I realized quickly no one else cared enough to do anything except my mom.
What I notice as a grown adult is that parents are more motivated about banning books because their angry political media outlets tell them that their children are being indoctrinated and introduced to diverse ethnicities, genders, and faiths through associations with other students and education curricula. The media fails to adequately address significant concerns, such as the increasing student-to-teacher ratio, lack of proper ventilation systems in classrooms, and the need for enhanced security in schools because of mass shootings and open carry laws for gun permits. But, the next “book burning” and “Parents for Liberty” bake sale will also receive media coverage.
This can lead to a lack of awareness and understanding among the public, hindering efforts to address systemic inequalities and impeding social progress. For instance, if the media cannot highlight stories of police brutality against people of color, it can contribute to the perpetuation of racial stereotypes and hinder the conversations and actions needed to address and eradicate this issue.
In my opinion, this shows how the lack of media attention can influence how people view things and hinder advancement. But, I also, acknowledge that media attention can sometimes exaggerate certain issues or promote biased narratives, leading to misinformed opinions and hindering progress. In these cases, the absence of media attention might enable individuals to understand a situation in a more objective and nuanced way, prompting them to analyze information critically and search for alternative sources to gain a comprehensive perspective. This is rare and exceptional.
Furthermore, advancements can still occur through grassroots efforts, academic research, and community engagement, even in the absence of widespread media coverage. Therefore, while media attention can play a crucial role in shaping public perception and driving change, it is essential to recognize the potential drawbacks and the importance of diverse perspectives in fostering true advancement.
In summary
The media’s disinterest plays a major role in shaping public perception. Furthermore, the media has a significant impact on shaping people’s perspectives by controlling the topics they emphasize and the way they present them. This impact can have enduring consequences, such as strengthening stereotypes and biases and hindering progress. Recognizing this lack of interest, for us as consumers of media content, actively searching for reliable sources of information is vital. Through action, we can work towards acquiring a thorough and knowledgeable grasp of our surroundings.
As the famous saying suggests, “ The initial step in resolving any issue is acknowledging its existence.”
What does this mean to me?
Acknowledging the existence of an issue is crucial because it allows individuals or organizations to recognize that there is a problem that needs to be addressed. Without this initial step, it is impossible to find a solution or make improvements. By acknowledging the issue, individuals can gain a clearer understanding of the problem and can then take action to resolve it.
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Originally published at https://wayneaince.substack.com.
