The Role of the Media in the Construction of Public Belief and Social Change

Abstract

The media play a central role in informing the public about what happens in the world, particularly in those areas in which audiences do not possess direct knowledge or experience. This article examines the impact the media has in the construction of public belief and attitudes and its relationship to social change. Drawing on findings from a range of empirical studies, we look at the impact of media coverage in areas such as disability, climate change and economic development. Findings across these areas show the way in which the media shape public debate in terms of setting agendas and focusing public interest on particular subjects. For example, in our work on disability we showed the relationship between negative media coverage of people on disability benefit and a hardening of attitudes towards them. Further, we found that the media also severely limit the information with which audiences understand these issues and that alternative solutions to political problems are effectively removed from public debate. We found other evidence of the way in which media coverage can operate to limit understanding of possibilities of social change. In our study of news reporting of climate change, we traced the way that the media have constructed uncertainty around the issue and how this has led to disengagement in relation to possible changes in personal behaviours. Finally, we discuss the implications for communications and policy and how both the traditional and new media might help in the development of better informed public debate.

Kempen Kesedaran Kesihatan Awam: Satu Tinjauan Literatur dari Sudut Penggunaan Media dan Komunikasi di Malaysia (Public Health Awareness Campaign: A Literature Review from the Angle of Media and Communication Usage in Malaysia)

“…Terdapat pelbagai jenis media yang wujud pada hari ini merangkumi media cetak seperti akhbar dan majalah; media elektronik seperti internet; media sosial seperti Facebook dan Twitter; dan aplikasi atas talian seperti WhatsApp, WeChat dan Telegram serta banyak lagi lambakan media yang muncul (Samad, 2014). Media memainkan peranan yang penting dalam memberikan maklumat kepada orang ramai tentang apa yang berlaku di dunia, terutamanya dalam aspek-aspek yang khalayak sendiri tidak memiliki pengetahuan ataupun pengalaman mengenai sesuatu hal tersebut (Happer & Philo, 2013). Peranan media tidak terhenti begitu sahaja, bahkan turut boleh digunakan sebagai medium berguna dalam menjayakan sesebuah kempen (Junus, 2013).…”

The Fear-Generating Effect of Terrorism Act and Social Media Responses in the Case of Sarinah Bombing, Jakarta, Indonesia

“…The fear will arise, both in directly and indirectly affected society, hence the use of the media will play a significant role here. Dissemination of opinion through the media coverage will greatly affect in people who do not have direct experience in the issues [15]. In bad terms, it will help perpetrator to achieve their intention of fear-generating.…”

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“…This examination could also reveal how social media discourses are impacting/affecting public opinion in the era of contested politics in Zimbabwe. In also echoing this pursuit, Happer and Phillo (2013) insist that 'all of the elements involved in the communications circuit intersect and are dynamic. Whilst in past research each element (e.g.…”

“…This shall be done by analysing social media discourses as well as examining political actors exposed to these discourses. Happer and Phillo (2013) contend that 'The analysis of media contentof what we are told and not told -is [therefore] a prime concern', hence the current research seeks to examine social media discourses. This examination could also reveal how social media discourses are impacting/affecting public opinion in the era of contested politics in Zimbabwe.…”