Describe how the media shape public opinion. What are the ...

[SO00]

Describe how the media shape public opinion. What are the consequences of the media's influence on public opinion?
 
  What will be an ideal response?

Question 2

Explain why some critics contend that public opinion polls weaken American democracy.
 
  What will be an ideal response?

[welcom1000]

Answer to Question 1

An ideal response will:
1, Note that the minimal effects hypothesis, which stated that the media had at best a negligible effect on public opinion, was quickly cast aside once researchers switched their focus away from direct effects like vote choice.
2, Discuss the major ways in which the media shape public opinion, including agenda-setting, framing the issues, and influencing the criteria by which politicians are evaluated by citizens.
3, Explain the positive consequences of this influence, including aiding citizens in engaging with a thoughtful and deliberate source of information and information contexts.
4, Evaluate the possible negative effects, including directing citizens' attention away from issues that might favor one candidate over anotherfor example, the fact that talking about the economic recovery in 2012 instead of lingering unemployment favored Barack Obama at the expense of Mitt Romney.

Answer to Question 2

An ideal response will:
1, List and explain the reasons that public opinions polls can weaken democracy: (1) may cause politicians to be followers of public opinion, not leaders; (2) may allow politicians to frame policies toward public opinion without changing policies to reflect public opinion, and (3) may induce a bandwagon effect.