Essay on Media’s Impact on Political Violence in the USA: Causes, Mechanisms and Effects

Media is of paramount importance in any society because the country’s economic, social and political aspects are usually directly related to the media. Politicians usually collaborate with the government in order to mobilize their agenda to the general public. Just like a couple of global nations, United States has witnessed political violence since its colonial inception to the modern days. For example, the great civil war that erupted in 1861 to 1865 led to massive deaths and destruction of property. Other violent acts followed in the country in which media was incorporated to some extent. Hence the essay will establish the mechanisms employed by the media which triggers political violence, effects of the political violence in the United States. It will also provide recommendations for the Medias conduct.

The media has occasionally reported unconfirmed and unedited political news. For example, during the great civil war in the late eighteenth century, the media could deliver unauthentic information to the general public. Such information was susceptible to creating tension and repulse, especially by the hunt group. In such a scenario, the media creates the basis for the battle due to their irresponsibility when disseminating information.

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Evidently, some media houses have publicly depicted their biases through taking partisan sides. For example, media presenters openly pledging their support to certain personalities hence generating unease amongst the general public. In such instances, some followers defect from their platforms and launch opposing force against the media house. This results in friction among members of the general public culminating in political violence. Even if the media were partisan, they shouldn’t let the general public know because tension would always erupt in the midst of their follower (Newton, 2006).

Majority of political players in the United States are rich individuals who probably propelled from the business community. Their commanding strength has propelled to the extent of owning some media houses, therefore, possess a unanimous control over such firms. Such political leaders usually direct the crew on what to report and what to leave out, therefore, they’ve been in a pole position to control the information being disseminated to the general public. These leaders have been accused of politically castigated violence in the country

The press has had the opportunity to host opposing leaders in media houses who have taken their fight to the general public. The hosts, being unable to control their egos, usually lash out at each other with their scathing rants and insults as the general public follow. Sadly, the followers turn each other as they fight for their leaders.in such instances, the media’s reluctance to control their rival guests castigates political violence in the country. To hold rivaling sides, one ought to lay ground rules in order to maintain sanity in the media house. “In this particular case, we can’t really know whether such shootings would have taken place had there not been this recent history of fairly nasty political exchanges in the press.” Says Craig Anderson from the center for violence study at Iowa State University.

Collusion amongst the media giants and government opposition sides has been witnessed during the ancient days in the United States. The opposition side at times might be so determined to oust the ruling party without following the right channel hence prefers to join hands with a powerful media power (Newton, 2006).

The influence of the media against the ruling government in support of the opposition will initiate chaos between the government supporters and opposition fanatics. Attempted coups hardly happen under peaceful background therefore they would always retaliate as the opposition pushes for their exit. For example, the attempted coup in the 1841–1842, Dorr Rebellion had actually conspired with the media to overthrow the sitting government but unfortunately their efforts were shut down. As a result of the rebels, innocent people lost their lives as the ruling regime fought back in aid to retain their leadership. The media, therefore, was the basis for relying on information to the general public that resulted in chaos.

Media houses are used as the main campaigning platforms by the majority of the politicians. For example, depicting aspirants’ photos, manifesto and other properties on the national televisions for the general public to see. In such a case they may cause uproar amongst the public if the aspiring leader has a bad reputation.

Effects of political violence to the country