The media is perhaps one of the most influential tools in the new world. From wars to online trends, media coverage plays an important role in shaping public opinion and influencing political attitudes, public policy, and voter perceptions. The media can affect how public opinion interprets events, policies, and even economic development through critical framing. This article explores what happens when media coverage influences public opinion.
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What Happens When Media Coverage Influences Public Opinion
The media is an incredibly powerful tool when it comes to influencing the masses. What happens when media coverage influences public opinion is that it can become an important device for educating and providing differing perspectives. However, the media can also be used as a dangerous instrument to spread propaganda and fake news or run deliberate agendas. Media outlets often have the power to select which issues receive attention, therefore shaping public perceptions of political candidates and policies.
The 1960 U.S. Presidential Debate and Elections
The first televised presidential debate between John F. Kennedy and Richard Nixon took place in 1960 and demonstrated how media presentation can affect voter perceptions. The debate, which was usually conducted on radio, showed that various forms of media can also significantly influence public opinion. Radio listeners favoured Nixon, but television viewers preferred Kennedy due to his confident appearance on TV. This phenomenon was extensively studied in political communication journals, highlighting the role of different types of media framing in shaping political outcomes.
Another example of how media was effectively used comes during the 2008 election. Barack Obama's campaign identified that a larger chunk of Democrats used the internet, and therefore, they used digital media and social networks to engage young voters. The emphasis on the use of media tools, particularly towards the younger population, was key in shaping positive attitudes regarding his candidature.
During election seasons, public opinion polls are also one of the factors that can heavily influence voter behaviour. How media outlets report candidates and whether or not they are leading can determine public perception. The concept of selective exposure suggests that individuals tend to consume media that aligns with their pre-existing attitudes, reinforcing their political attitudes. Selective reporting may, therefore, lead to individual attitudes changing or getting strengthened.
The rise of social media has amplified both positive articles and negative articles about candidates. Individual exposure to news through social platforms plays a significant role in shaping public opinion. What happens when media coverage influences public attitudes can be seen in the 2016 U.S. election. This time period saw misinformation campaigns and fake news that were shaped heavily in Trump's favour, further highlighting how media coverage impacts public opinion.

Media's Role in War: Shaping Public Perceptions
The Vietnam War – "The First Television War"
The media plays a critical role in shaping perceptions even during war. The earliest example was the Vietnam War and how its coverage impacted the viewpoint of millions of Americans. With large chunks of the population owning TVs, television media became a major source of news. With all information being relayed to homes coming from the military, this time became one of highly selective exposure. Information that was relayed focused on positive attitudes regarding the war and supporting the American cause, often leaving out parts about brutality or other humanitarian issues. Government censorship, while not as high as world war levels, was still bordering on being dangerously propaganda in nature.
The Israel-Palestine Conflict
In recent times, the Israel-Palestine conflict is another example of what happens when media coverage influences public opinion. Media focus through American channels has largely been on Israeli narratives, beginning from Hamas' October 7 attacks. The media has an increasingly large role in shaping public discourse, and there should not be the omitting of particular facts, information or perspectives. The media has also largely avoided using terms such as "apartheid" or "genocide" despite international organizations deeming it as such. This selective coverage can often subtly shape attitudes and beliefs that the public holds, making media a dangerously critical tool in terms of shaping public policy during times of war.
The Media's Role in Coverage About Climate Change
The coverage of climate change shows what happens when media coverage influences public opinion over climate change beliefs. Climate change audience segments indicate that tailored messaging influences public perceptions. For instance, coverage during climate change conferences differs significantly across German newspapers and weekly newspapers, reflecting regional biases in reporting.
Positive coverage of the Paris Climate Agreement played a significant role in rallying public support for international climate policies. Despite Trump having signed an executive order removing the USA from the agreement, European nations have rallied to continue supporting it. Media coverage in times to come will determine whether Trump's move comes to be seen as a failure or not.
The Role of Media in Foreign Policy and Government Decisions
Media-driven public discourse affects foreign policy decisions. For example, what happens when media coverage influences public opinion reporting on humanitarian crises can pressure governments to intervene, while coverage of limited government philosophies can reduce support for interventionist policies and strategies. Strategic shifts in media framing can often apply pressure to change opinions on public policy or even force governments into making changes. Positive coverage can lead to backing in government policy and vice-versa.
Public support for government spending also shifts based on how the media frames budgetary policy decisions. Positive framing of alternative fuel vehicles and battery-electric vehicles in the press in recent times has influenced investments in alternative fuel vehicle technologies. This has also led to more coverage of the consequences of climate change, with both positive articles and negative ones. Positive attitudes in media have often led to swings in public opinion. In largely democratic nations, this also affects governmental decisions, thus highlighting what happens when media coverage influences public opinion.
Conclusion
In conclusion, media plays a critical role in shaping public attitudes regarding various topics. This can include elections, war, climate change beliefs, and even foreign policy. It is essential to know what happens when media coverage influences public opinion, as this not only strengthens media literacy but also allows the general population to come to informed decisions and opinions rather than relying on ones supplied by the media.

FAQs
How Does The Media Influence Public Opinion?
The media can influence public opinion by framing issues, setting agendas, and shaping the narrative around specific topics. The media has large control over the information it provides, which can significantly alter perceptions and influence individuals' attitudes and beliefs.
How Can Media Bias Influence Public Opinion?
Media bias can influence public opinion by presenting information in a way that favours specific perspectives. This leads to skewed facts and opinions that can potentially distort facts and influence people's views. This selective coverage can lead to a skewed understanding of issues.
How Does The Media Influence Public Opinion On Crime?
The media influences public opinion on crime by emphasizing unique stories, often focusing on violent incidents. These stories can often create fear and shape public perception of crime rates, leading to heightened concerns or misconceptions about crime in society.