How the Media Influences Opinions

What is a major factor that influences American public opinion? One of the major dynamics that affects our opinions is the media. It can be biased or objective, and can still “help” us what to think about certain issues. This can be done through newspapers, radio, television, and so on. All of these may do stories on the same subject, but may end up with different end results. (For opinions about each one.)

Newspapers use their opinions (not all the time) to write and make their articles. If they did not, it might just go on with nothing but boring text. They mainly report major stories, and place them in the headlines hoping to catch many people. These stories aren’t always the most important issues, should be replaced with other topics that are more vital. For example, when they covered Coach Knight, there was a serial attacker on the loose. They covered a basketball coach, when people’s lives are at stake.

Sometimes use political cartoons to get a point across a certain issue without having to write. These “cartoons” are often biased, and can make people feel certain feelings. Another form many adults (older) would be the viewing audience that is most affected by the newspaper media.

The most watched form of media is television. Television media ranges from television news to talkshows. On the news shows they can be biased, without even making it obvious. I watched WGN regularly at nine o’clock. When they covered Decision 2000, they sometimes spent more time on candidate than the other.

On September sixth, the news spent 1:10 minutes more on Gore, than Bush. Even though words were not used, this shows biased opinions through viewing. In conclusion, the media changes, and influences opinions of the American people. This has positive and negative effects on our society. People shouldn’t be influenced, only informed, so we can decide for ourselves the true meanings of each issue.