Question

Identify the true and false statements about the relationship between media and politics.

- The 2016 presidential election year started with most Americans—about three-quarters of both Republicans and Democrats alike—believing in the media’s role as a "watchdog" for political leaders.
- As much as the power of the media has transformed politics, the reverse is also true.
- The media have been referred to as the "Third Estate.
- By the end of 2018, 38 percent of Democrats, compared to just 82 percent of Republicans, supported the idea of the media as political watchdog.

Answer 1

The media's role as a watchdog for political leaders was widely recognized during the 2016 presidential election year. The influence between media and politics is mutual, and though the media is sometimes mislabeled as the 'Third Estate,' it is more accurately termed the 'Fourth Estate.'

Step-by-step explanation:

To assess the relationship between media and politics, let's consider the true and false statements provided:

• The 2016 presidential election year started with most Americans—about three-quarters of both Republicans and Democrats alike—believing in the media’s role as a "watchdog" for political leaders. This statement seems plausible, considering the long-standing view of media as a guardian of the public interest, but specific statistical data would be needed to confirm its accuracy.
• As much as the power of the media has transformed politics, the reverse is also true. This is a true statement; the interaction between media and politics is mutually influential, as political processes and decisions can shape media practices and content.
• The media have been referred to as the "Third Estate." This statement is false; traditionally, the media is referred to as the "Fourth Estate," a term that underscores its role in monitoring the three branches of government.
• By the end of 2018, 38 percent of Democrats, compared to just 82 percent of Republicans, supported the idea of the media as political watchdog. This statement is numerically true, revealing a partisan divide in perceptions of the media, but statistical references are required for full validation.

Is there a true balance of power between those in the political arena and the public regarding the media's role as a gatekeeper in dictating what topics influence public policy? This query is complex and subjective. The media does play a crucial role in shaping public discourse and priorities, but whether there is a 'true balance' of power is debatable and varies with perspectives on media performance and integrity.

Answer 2

Most of the provided statements about the media's relationship with politics have elements of truth, but the reference to the media as the 'Third Estate' is incorrect; it should be the 'Fourth Estate.'

Step-by-step explanation:

The relationship between media and politics is complex and multifaceted. The statements presented highlight different aspects of this relationship.

First, the assertion that the 2016 presidential election year started with most Americans believing in the media's role as a "watchdog" for political leaders is plausible, reflecting a traditional view of the media.

Second, the statement that the power of the media has transformed politics and vice versa is true, illustrating the dynamic interchange between media and political processes.

The third statement is false, as the media have traditionally been referred to as the "Fourth Estate," not the "Third Estate," which historically refers to the commoners in pre-revolutionary France.

Lastly, the statistics provided for 2018 regarding the percentages of Democrats and Republicans supporting the media as a political watchdog seem to suggest a significant partisan divide; however, the literal numbers appear inconsistent, as 82 percent cannot be "just" compared to 38 percent.

This could be a typo or misinterpretation of the data and requires verification.

It is crucial to recognize that the news media's role is often called the fourth branch of government, signifying its importance in maintaining democracy and holding government accountable.

With the evolution of news media through the advent of social media and the internet, the landscape has changed dramatically. The spread of misinformation also challenges the media’s gatekeeping functions and its balance of power with the political realm and the public.

Ultimately, the true balance of power between the media, the public, and political figures in shaping public policy remains a contentious subject, with various factors influencing the media's role as a gatekeeper.