The Role of Media in Public Disengagement from Political Life

Many scholars blame media for declining political participation in the United States. Survey research results indicate that civic engagement and political distrust may be associated with political Participation, but that these processes are not easily explained by television viewing. Instead, newspa...

Full description

Saved in:
Bibliographic Details
Published in:Journal of broadcasting & electronic media 2000-09, Vol.44 (4), p.569-580
Main Author: Gwinn Wilkins, Karin
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Analysis
Citizen participation
Communications industry
Government and politics
Influence
Mass media
Media coverage
News media
Political participation
Political uses
Politics
Public participation
Texas
United States
Voter behavior
Citations: Items that this one cites
Items that cite this one
Online Access:Get full text
Tags: Add Tag
No Tags, Be the first to tag this record!
Description
Summary:Many scholars blame media for declining political participation in the United States. Survey research results indicate that civic engagement and political distrust may be associated with political Participation, but that these processes are not easily explained by television viewing. Instead, newspaper reading and television news watching, along with level of education, tend to be associated with electoral participation. In conclusion, the author suggests that skepticism be reconceptualized as a healthy part of the democratic process.
ISSN:0883-8151
1550-6878
DOI:10.1207/s15506878jobem4404_3