Media Literature Review

MEDIA LITERATURE REVIEW
Name
Course
Date
Abstract
There can be no gainsaying as to the fact that the media is intrinsically responsible for not only informing the public, but also shaping its perception regarding key matters of concern. It is important to be cognizant that media refers to both television and radio, as well as print in the context of newspapers and books. By and large, the digital age, which is characterized by the prevalent use of technology in almost every aspect of life, has greatly impacted on how the public is informed. In this regard, the public is not only informed about what is happening locally, but also internationally. In most cases, the media covers issues that encompass political, economic, and social aspects of day to day living. It can also be used as an educative tool as seen in how it promotes culture and heritage. On considering single outlet television networks CNN has more trust votes as compared to NBC and has therefore more viewers (Jensen, 2013). The following fourteen literature reviews shows that media and especially CNN news has a lot of influence on U.S. foreign policy.
Besides influencing public opinion and perception, both these media stations have been known to have the similar effect on US policy makers and policy formulation. More often than not, both media stations highlight political and economic issues of concern with the objective of drawing responses from the public, which in turn is relayed to the policy makers. The million dollar question, however, is whether or not reporting by these media stations is relevant and of quality, not to mention free from prejudice and bias. In order to determine this, it is necessary to analyze how each one of these top American media stations reports across the political, economic, and social landscape. Ultimately, it will provide evidence to the effect that media reporting does intrinsically impact on policy makers.
Dumbrell & Barrett in their book; the making of US foreign policy, examined the link between foreign policy making, public opinion, as well as the media. In regard to this, they posed the question as to whether or not US foreign policy is influenced by the media. Walter Lippomann argued that the people had time and again forced governments to “too late with too little….. too pacifist in peace and too bellicose in war, too neutralist or appeasing in negotiation or too intransigent” (Dumbrell & Barrett, 1997 p145). The argument brought forth by Lippmann was that the Western democracies’ executives had been enfeebled by mass opinion irrationality and its natural associates in legislatures. Uncertainty, complexity as well as limited public information among the people allow presidents to mould and lead public opinion. Usually, this is achieved through elites, interest groups, elected representative, general public and the news media. The authors stated that it is common to find media distort news as well as substantial political power within their own right. As part of their evidence, the authors determine that indeed media coverage has some intrinsic impact on how US foreign policy is formulated. They provide examples of both President George Bush and Bill Clinton who were drawn into w...