Mass media plays a significant role in shaping national and international politics in several ways:
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Public Perception: Media can influence how the population perceives events and issues, shaping public opinion and political discourse. This can affect voter behavior, policy support, and overall political engagement.
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Diversity of Voices: With more people producing different political content for media, diverse perspectives are shared, allowing for a broader range of political discourse and engagement with various political issues.
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Political Messaging: Contrary to the statement that politicians won't place political messages on mass media, politicians actively use mass media platforms for campaigning, communication, and to influence public opinion. This includes traditional media like TV and newspapers as well as digital platforms.
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Government Communication: Governments indeed use mass media to communicate with their own citizens and with other countries, helping to shape diplomatic relations, promote foreign policy goals, and manage international perceptions.
Overall, the influence of mass media is profound in both reinforcing and challenging political narratives, impacting governance, and informing citizens globally.