Public Opinion Polls Mass Media Propaganda Techniques

1. INFLUENCING THE GOV’T
In America, different groups
of people hold many
different viewpoints. Some
groups form to try to
persuade gov’t officials to
support their views. These
groups are exercising the
important rights of freedom
of speech and assembly.

2. PUBLIC OPINION
Public Opinion- the ideas and attitudes that
most people hold about elected officials,
candidates, gov’t, and political issues
Public opinion helps shapes the decisions of
every president
They need the support of the public to carry
out their programs

3. WHERE DOES PUBLIC OPINION COME
FROM AND HOW DO YOU MEASURE
IT?
1. Personal Background
2. The Media
3. Public Officials
4. Interest Groups
Measure/gauge people’s ideas and feelings on
issues through the use of public opinion polls
(survey)
 Officials use these polls to help determine laws,
policy, and popularity.

4. MASS MEDIA
Media forms a link between the people and
elected officials
Electronic Media- TV, Radio, Internet, Social
Media
Print Media- newspapers, magazines,
newsletters, books

5. IMPACT OF MEDIA
Media has a huge influence over the public
agenda (issues considered most significant by
gov’t officials)
Politicians may “leak” information to reporters to
test what the public reaction will be before carrying
on with the idea or dropping it
Media acts a watchdog, informs citizens about
candidates and issues, and gives people different
points of views on issues
MEDIA CAN BE VERY BIAS!! (being one sided)
 It is important to separate fact from opinion, detect
bias, and evaluate your sources

6. SAFEGUARDS FROM THE MEDIA
 First amendment protects the
media with the freedom of
press and against censorship
 Freedom of Press can be
limited:
 Libel- publishing false
information to harm
someone’s reputation
 Slander- verbally
spreading false
information to harm
someone’s reputation

7. REGULATING THE MEDIA
 Federal gov’t has some power to regulate media
 FCC (Federal Communications Commission)
 Can not censor but can penalize for breaking its rules

8. USE OF MEDIA TO INFLUENCE PUBLIC
OPINION AND POLICY
 PROPAGANDA TECHNIQUES a way to sway
people’s attitudes, opinions, and behaviors
 Mass media and technology make the spread of
this very easy
 Political candidates use propaganda to get support
from voters

9. BANDWAGON
“The latest poll shows that the majority of people support
Nicholas Moore for President.”
EVERYONE’S DOING IT!

10. NAME CALLING
“Candidate Williams is corrupt and caters to special
interest groups.”
USE OF AN UNPLEASANT LABEL OR
DESCRIPTION TO HARM AN OPPOSING
CANDIDATE

11. CARD STACKING
“Nicholas Moore is clearly the most qualified candidate.
USE FACTS TO FAVOR AN OPINION
 Obama worked as a community
organizer immediately after
graduation.
 He also worked as a university
professor, political activist, and
lawyer before serving in the
Illinois Senate from 1997 to
2004.
 He was propelled to stardom by
giving the 2004 democratic
convention keynote speech.
 Obama has sponsored bills
ranging from lobbying and
electoral fraud, climate change,
weapons control, nuclear
terrorism, and better veterans
care.

12. GLITTERING GENERALITIES
“A VOTE FOR NICHOLAS MOORE IS A VOTE FOR
NORTH CAROLINA’S VALUES.”
USE WORDS THAT SOUND GOOD BUT HAVE
LITTLE OR NO MEANING

13. PLAIN FOLKS APPEAL
“Vote for Nick Moore, who understands the problems of
North Carolina.”
CANDIDATES DESCRIBE THEMSELVES AS
REGULAR PEOPLE

14. ENDORSEMENT
“LeBron James says, “Nick Moore is a candidate you
can trust. He has my vote!”
CELEBRITY SUPPORTS A CANDIDATE

15. CREATE A PIC COLLAGE
 You are to create a pic collage that gives an example of each one
of the 6 types of propaganda techniques and upload it on canvas.
 You need to find a picture that exemplifies that type of
propaganda and label that picture with the name of the type of
propaganda.
 Ex. Endorsement