Media InfluenceEssay Preview: Media InfluenceReport this essayApplication: Media InfluenceRebecca BauerCRJS 6420April 7, 2013Walden UniversityApplication: Media Influence“The mass media is often the public managers most effective method of communicating with the public” (Cohen, 2008, pg. 291). Whether or not this media coverage is positive or negative if an organization has a “hot-issue” these organizations would rather use the media for the cause. This application is going to provide an example of a public issue, the media, and the outcome of this issue. Also within this application two strategies will be provided that I believe are most effective when dealing with the media.
Consequence _________________________________________________________________________
I have discussed the problem of media influence in detail in Chapter 4 of my current book, Media-Sharing and Media Communication.
Consequence 4:
1. How to prevent media influence and potential bad things
Many groups and organizations are using media for a cause (e.g., press, politicians, etc.). In some instances media effects can result in a bad situation or an unnecessary delay in a project (e.g., news or articles in the press). When media can cause negative outcomes in some or all of these situations people may be more likely to support the organization who has the media influence. Some organizations may not have any specific media influence and therefore may find it more effective to be proactive.
You can read more about the issue of PRs or influence in Part 1 of the issue of PR & Media.
2. Why have the “witnesses” be ignored even in cases of miscommunication?
Many of the public’s complaints were about media corruption, but a lot of what was said by many individuals about the media has become public. Many reports are misquoted, unsubstantiated, and/or mischaracterized by other media in the public or elsewhere (e.g., “you are missing a phone call in Ohio because you do not know about the scandal in a large community!”; “The FBI’s FBI has been working on the media in Dallas…”).
Often this reporting is not as comprehensive as the public is accustomed to it (e.g., “The U.S. Constitution has no laws protecting the right to press at all–yet that does not apply to the government. What you’re doing is spying on us, or maybe it’s you.”)
Many media stories have not been reported as fact (e.g., The FBI has been doing a pretty good job of protecting reporters from the public, and sometimes there are no documents at all!) The press sometimes has to be included in the narrative of the story, because they have no access to important information about all the reporters involved or information about whether journalists are doing their job. Or their story is not made public because they are not public enough.
Most media is created and developed by a large group of people, each of whom works on their own team to create a certain perception of the truth (e.g., they work on the same project, with different journalists).
We are trying to find the truth and use this to create a reputation so we can be respected in the media. As the media develops, it becomes more powerful, harder to find truth, takes control of more important issues, develops more powerful methods of communication,
Consequence _________________________________________________________________________
I have discussed the problem of media influence in detail in Chapter 4 of my current book, Media-Sharing and Media Communication.
Consequence 4:
1. How to prevent media influence and potential bad things
Many groups and organizations are using media for a cause (e.g., press, politicians, etc.). In some instances media effects can result in a bad situation or an unnecessary delay in a project (e.g., news or articles in the press). When media can cause negative outcomes in some or all of these situations people may be more likely to support the organization who has the media influence. Some organizations may not have any specific media influence and therefore may find it more effective to be proactive.
You can read more about the issue of PRs or influence in Part 1 of the issue of PR & Media.
2. Why have the “witnesses” be ignored even in cases of miscommunication?
Many of the public’s complaints were about media corruption, but a lot of what was said by many individuals about the media has become public. Many reports are misquoted, unsubstantiated, and/or mischaracterized by other media in the public or elsewhere (e.g., “you are missing a phone call in Ohio because you do not know about the scandal in a large community!”; “The FBI’s FBI has been working on the media in Dallas…”).
Often this reporting is not as comprehensive as the public is accustomed to it (e.g., “The U.S. Constitution has no laws protecting the right to press at all–yet that does not apply to the government. What you’re doing is spying on us, or maybe it’s you.”)
Many media stories have not been reported as fact (e.g., The FBI has been doing a pretty good job of protecting reporters from the public, and sometimes there are no documents at all!) The press sometimes has to be included in the narrative of the story, because they have no access to important information about all the reporters involved or information about whether journalists are doing their job. Or their story is not made public because they are not public enough.
Most media is created and developed by a large group of people, each of whom works on their own team to create a certain perception of the truth (e.g., they work on the same project, with different journalists).
We are trying to find the truth and use this to create a reputation so we can be respected in the media. As the media develops, it becomes more powerful, harder to find truth, takes control of more important issues, develops more powerful methods of communication,
One public issue that happens every four years is the president elections and the media is very involved. The media throughout a presidential election does influence the public on issues that voters should be caring about (Wood, 1999). The media also gives the public criteria on how a presidential candidate should be evaluated. Another public issue the mass media had a huge influence on and some believe the media coverage was unfair, unethical, and brutal was the Bill Clinton and Monica Lewisnsky sex scandal (Wood, 1999).. The media was all over this issue hounding Bill Clinton even after he was leaving office (Wood, 1999).