Political Talk Shows Influence on Public Opinion

Political talk shows and radio shows have been around for decades influencing public opinion, campaign trails, and reinstating political beliefs. Hosts of both television and radio shows have significant effect on listeners and their opinions of government effectiveness and issues at large.

Many argue that talk shows bring government participation to the general public while others say that it encourages negative views toward government. While this seems to be a controversial issue in the political world, all will agree that they give politicians a new way to talk to the public and also a way for the public to convey their opinions directly to politicians.

Many political scientists and scholars alike fear that many talk show hosts entertain more than inform the public. For instance Stephen Colbert is a popular talk show host among young adults. The Colbert Report is not a serious news outlet, but many uninformed college students take his sarcasm as legitimate news. This is an alarming trend as Colbert, Jon Stewart, and many other similar hosts are rising in popularity. On the other hand these shows are offering the public and young people in particular, a look into the political world when they would otherwise not be interested.

For the more traditional viewer or listener talk shows can offer a negative opinion towards the government and its institutions. Since the 1960’s the general trend of the public’s confidence in democratic institutions has been a pessimistic one. Also most importantly the overall distrust of government can have serious repercussions according to Robinson who says, “in the long run, democratic systems do not –cannot- survive monetary or social crisis with institutions that lack the public’s trust and respect”. Another scholar, Jamieson, argues that news media in particular focuses primarily on attack and counterattack and dismisses the status quo. Also that mass media serves to undermine the political process.

Another argument for those who believe the news offers a negative depiction toward governmental institutions is that many users of a particular media tend to adopt the perception of the hosts or news network. For instance studies have shown that network television news, talk radio, and entertainment talk shows depict Congress, the Presidency, and public schools negatively which reduces the public’s confidence in them as well. This has a negative effect on democracy as a whole and can limit public participation.

Extreme hosts of both radio and television talk shows can have a negative or positive effect on the general public depending on your political connotation. Rush Limbaugh is probably one of the most conservative radio hosts on the air today. For conservatives around the country he is an enforcer of their beliefs and helps to tell moderates of extremist Republican views. While on the other hand the Al Franken show is an extremely liberal radio show that challenges conservative beliefs. While members of both parties may not agree with what either are saying both will agree that radio talk show has influenced many campaigns, candidates, and legislators to change policies or get elected.

Radio and television has become an important outlet for politicians and political theorists around the country and even the world. Although some of the shows can have a negative effect on public opinion, it also allows many uninterested Americans a brief look into the political world. As the years go by it will continue to be an effective and convenient way for the masses to obtain political information from a variety of sources.