1. Public Opinion, Media, and Interest Groups

2. Mass Media Mass Media- communication that reaches a vast audience
Types of Mass Media
Print – newspaper, magazines, newsletters, and books
Electronic – Radio, TV, Internet, Social Media

3. Power of the Media October 30, 1938

4. War of the Worlds- Orson Welles

5. PUBLIC Agenda
Media creates the public agenda – issues that are the most significant
98% of Americans have televisions in their homes; 70% read the newspaper, 84% use the internet
The information that is given to us definitely effects our opinions on issues

6. Media as a watchdog Media “checks” the government
Exposes any wrong doings within government

7. Polls Polls are surveys taken to measure public opinion
Polls can influence your opinion because human nature tells you to follow the norm
Pros of Polls
Allows politicians to see what is important to voters and better serve their community
Cons of Polls
Can influence public
Can lead officials to follow public agenda instead of their own opinion
Can be wrong

12. Limitations Slander – cannot speak lies Libel – cannot print lies
Bias – not supposed to show favor for one group or another

13. Questions to consider…
Should the media be allowed to deliver any news desired, even if it puts national security at risk?
How much of an influence do you believe the media has on the public?

16. Propaganda
Propaganda- a technique of persuasion aimed at influencing behavior

17. Types of Propaganda
Glittering Generalities- information that sounds good but is meaningless
Bandwagon- urges people to follow the crowd
Name-Calling- attacks a person or a policy with a name or label

18. Types of Propaganda continued…
Card-Stacking- presents only one side of the issue and distorts facts
Plain Folks- appeals to common people
Celebrity Testimonials- uses endorsements from famous people
Symbols/Transfer- uses popular symbols to create a positive or negative connotation/association

19. Special Interest Groups
Special Interest Groups are people who share a point of view about an issue and unite to promote their beliefs

20. Lobbyists
A lobbyist is a representative of an interest groups or businesses who contacts lawmakers directly to influence them to support their policies
Sometimes lobbyist have a bad reputation, however they are incredibly necessary

21. Think Tanks
Think Tanks are organization of experts researching and advising on issues of society, science, technology, industry, or business

22. Types of Interest Groups (economic)
Business Groups- try to influence government decisions on issues that effect their industry
Example- Cigarette manufacturers
Labor Groups- unions promote economic interests of workers
Example- these want to improve working conditions, benefits, and wages

23. Types of Interest Groups (economic)
Agricultural Groups- want to influence government decisions on farming and ranching
Examples- taxes, regulations of crops or animals
Professional Groups- professions such as lawyers, doctors, and accountants have interest groups to push for legislation regarding their issues
Example- American Medical Association represents doctors

24. Types of Interest Groups (Non-economic)
Public Interest Groups– support causes that affect the lives of Americans in general
Example- pollution control, consumer protection
Single-Issue Interest Groups– focus on only one cause to support
Ideological Groups– support causes that effect certain ethnic groups, age groups, or gender
Examples- NAACP & AARP

25. How can you make change occur?
#1 Vote
Government based on popular sovereignty
Only way to make a difference in officials is to vote
#2 Volunteering
Offering services to others without payment
Gives you chance to help others and contribute to your community

26. How can you make change occur?
#3 Protesting
Organizing a group in reaction to a situation or event to try to influence others and/or make a difference
#4 Petitioning
Submit a formal request for change
Usually requires a collection of signatures

27. How can you make change occur?
#5 Surveys
Gathering of public opinion that results can be used to promote change
Usually conducted on random samples of population
#6 Run for Office
Obtaining a leadership role on the local, state, or federal level can bring about change throughout the country