The role of the media in the public policy process

The Role of the Media in the Public Policy Process

Media is known to have direct influence on the public opinion and public policy process . Therefore , researchers claim that media plays influential and sometimes eve crucial role in policy processes . Media tends to embrace all significant evens and crimes , although it may avoid s which are less likely to directly impact public policy process Media plays substantial role in the area of the crime policy because of the nature of the media

Media is argued to be effective in `shaping criminal justice

policy in cultural , social and political environment as it establishes favorable relations with local policy-makers , public official and lobbyists (p .156 ) Researchers say that media plays important role in the problem identification stage because media conveys major crimes to the American public opinion stressing the problem and measures to be taken for finding proper solution . Media reports crimes as a staple of new identifying the problem for policy-makers . Further , the role of the media is more evident in policy process rather than in the agenda-setting process . The relations between the media , public opinion and politicians are strong as they are interrelated meaning that one affects another and vice verse

The next moment to admit is that media can help on removing particular issue from the agenda by presenting information and stopping to cover the issue . For example , during the period 1985-1992 drugs and war on drugs were the primary issues covered by media , but since 1992 the policy has changed and media started speaking more about crimes and violence . It means that media sets the tone and specifies events which it assumes to be important . Media may shift the focus or may continue to cover particular issue . Moreover , media is able to make government support and promote its actions . Therefore , Thomas Carlyle 's comment that media is the fourth estate is still valid in America society and media remains more important than government and legislation as media conveys information to public opinion and sets the mood

References

Marion , N .E Oliver , W .M (2006 ) Public Opinion and the Media in The Public Policy of Crime and Criminal Justice , USA : Prentice Hall . PAGE

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