Mass Media And Social Political Conflicts

In our era, the mass media occupy a crucial position in our society and influence our daily life. Mass media enable journalists from every part of the world to gather and spread information about conflicts and peace at fast speed. With journalists, photographers, reporters and writers from across the world documenting every kind of situation, conflict and process, it is normal to wonder to what level the mass media influence our habits and activities, especially when in regards to conflict situations and social movements.

In this paper we are going to explore the influence of media in the realm of social political conflicts, and their role in causing and escalating them.

We will explore some theories in regards to the effects of media on

TV, radio and newspapers help shape the movement's image and as such the opinion of it for the public. (Carrol and Ratner, 1999)

Framing

Framing is to activate the target audience to think, feel and act in a particular way. A fully developed frame is typically performed in 4 functions: problem definition, causal analysis, moral judgment, and remedy promotion (Framing Theory). Media framing provides the “people power” and provides encouragement to those involved in the political struggle and could help to reach out information internationally (Kuusik, 2010, The Role of the Media in Peace Building).

Media information has a huge impact of how people think about different society problems and subjects. Many opinions can change because of what the media tells the audience. Freedom of speech is a vital of democratic structure and humans rights, but on the other hand media can be misused for propaganda purposes such as spread rumours and create more tense in a conflict (Kuusik, 2010, The Role of the Media in Peace

The gatekeepers have to stay clear and be correct about the information, and stay clear of judgement and describe reality without embellishment (Kuusik, 2010, The Role of the Media in Peace Building).

Core assumptions

Core assumptions means that the journalist try to select a topic and try to get the audience attention to believe in that topic that they perform. The gatekeepers try to affect the audience about how they should feel about the topic. They are trying to build the social structures. The gatekeepers try to make the audience think in one way compare to another meaning or statement.

According to Fairhurst & Sarr there are 3 elements that help the statement to be an effective message: language, thought and forethought. Language makes us remember the information and acts. When it comes to thought and forethought, it means that the audience must get the opportunity to think and reflect on their own opinion (University of Twente).

Uses & Gratifications