The Impact of Mainstream Media on Public Opinion and Policy Decisions: Coverage of the Israeli—Palestinian Conflict
Session Title
Political Science
College
College of Arts and Sciences
Department
Political Science
Abstract
The focus of this research will be on media influence, specifically regarding coverage of events surrounding the Israeli—Palestinian conflict. This thesis examines the influences of mainstream media regarding this issue in the United States, and briefly compares it to mainstream media influence in the United Kingdom. It explores the impact that the frequency of the coverage has on viewers, the general public, and, eventually, policy decisions. This thesis also scrutinizes and measures the kind of language and words used by popular television news channels concerning the conflict. Misinformation, misrepresentation, and sensationalism are common factors of mainstream media. This thesis analyzes how and why news channels cover stories differently and the impact or lack of impact it has on viewers. The Israeli—Palestinian conflict has been a popular issue in the news since the mid-1900s, but this thesis focuses on more recent coverage over the last 15 years of the conflict. This thesis will then study how the rate and type of coverage have impacted public opinion and support or opposition to government decisions regarding Israel and Palestine.
Honors Thesis Committee
Christopher Van Aller, Ph.D.; Adolphus Belk, Ph.D.; and Jennifer Disney, Ph.D.
Course Assignment
PLSC 490H – Van Aller, Belk
Start Date
24-4-2020 12:00 AM
The Impact of Mainstream Media on Public Opinion and Policy Decisions: Coverage of the Israeli—Palestinian Conflict
The focus of this research will be on media influence, specifically regarding coverage of events surrounding the Israeli—Palestinian conflict. This thesis examines the influences of mainstream media regarding this issue in the United States, and briefly compares it to mainstream media influence in the United Kingdom. It explores the impact that the frequency of the coverage has on viewers, the general public, and, eventually, policy decisions. This thesis also scrutinizes and measures the kind of language and words used by popular television news channels concerning the conflict. Misinformation, misrepresentation, and sensationalism are common factors of mainstream media. This thesis analyzes how and why news channels cover stories differently and the impact or lack of impact it has on viewers. The Israeli—Palestinian conflict has been a popular issue in the news since the mid-1900s, but this thesis focuses on more recent coverage over the last 15 years of the conflict. This thesis will then study how the rate and type of coverage have impacted public opinion and support or opposition to government decisions regarding Israel and Palestine.
