Politicization of Media
Introduction:
In my Media and Politics minor journey, I immersed myself in the influence of media narratives and their relationship dynamic with political agendas and societal constructs. Through a series of diverse courses involving media and politics, I delved into multiple themes that revealed the complex connections between various disciplines, such as political science, international relations, and communication studies. Among these themes, media politicization patterns have been central. It has conveyed how actors strategically employ media to shape public opinion and achieve political agendas. Throughout my experience, I observed how governments, corporations, and other actors use media as an instrument to create certain narratives. It has enhanced my understanding of their roles in broader societal impacts. This reflective essay will explore the thematic links that have emerged during the different coursework, delve into examples that have crystalized these themes, and reflect on my learning journey throughout the minor.
Thematic Links:
Media serves as a powerful tool for propaganda, where narratives carry a significant weight in manipulating political contexts. For example, right-wing groups strategically manipulate media narratives to reinforce Islamophobic attitudes in the West. These groups employ various tactics including, portraying Muslims as monsters and threats to Western values, exploiting societal narratives to manipulate public perception, and justifying violence and discriminatory policies against Muslims. Right-wing media outlets during the 9/11 attacks capitalized on fear to authorize the use of necessary forces in Afghanistan. In addition, actors within these groups utilize media to enhance the nation’s military capabilities and attract investment. Figures like Donald Trump, have furthered the narratives of Muslims being a threat to national security to promote himself and appeal to voters who share similar beliefs, ultimately influencing electoral outcomes. This portrayal of Muslims as inherently violent or prone to terrorism reinforces negative stereotypes and contributes to the demonization of Arabs and Muslim communities. Hence, the use of media to perpetuate Islamophobia or other religious narratives, demonstrates its capability in shaping public opinion to achieve political agendas.
Moreover, the media serves as a crucial source of soft power, influencing global perceptions and contributing to nation branding efforts. Delving into Qatar’s strategic utilization of media in energy diplomacy exemplifies this concept, such as Qatar's role in the LNG industry and their way of projecting energy strategies. By framing its energy policies as realistic and forward-thinking, Qatar manages to emphasize its commitment to clean energy and enhances its diplomatic relations, particularly with the Asian Market. During the Conference of the Parties (COP 18), Qatar employed media narratives to enhance its soft power diplomacy and shape perceptions. Hosting COP 18 highlights the nation’s proactive approach to climate change and energy sustainability, which strengthens its global reputation and influence. Overall, this strategic use of media in energy diplomacy illustrates how governments leverage media platforms to not only elevate the country’s position internationally but also to maintain it foreign policy and accomplish other political goals.
Furthermore, selective framing in the media is an effective instrument that political leaders and governments often take advantage of to shape public opinion and achieve their political ambitions. For example, Mohammed bin Salman’s (MBS) interview with Fox News, displays the way this strategy is often leveraged. In the interview, MBS discusses Saudi Arabia’s efforts to diversify its energy sources through investments in renewable energy projects and its commitment to sustainability, while outlining their progress in achieving economic and regional stability. Additionally, MBS took the opportunity to address Saudi Arabia’s stance on the Ukraine war to accentuate the nation’s neutrality despite supply cuts. He frames these decisions by suggesting that it is for the benefit of the global economy and reiterated that it was not made to inflate prices or show political support for Russia. MBS also took advantage of the media spotlight to describe Saudi Arabia’s diplomatic relationship with Israel, however emphasizing conditions to prioritize lives of Palestinians to reinforce the Arab solidarity. This selective framing of information serves to promote Saudi Arabia, as leaders like MBS leverage media platforms to influence public opinion and project a favorable image both domestically and internationally.
Small states often grapple with visibility challenges on the global stage due to their limited resources and size. To overcome this, they strategically utilize media channels to amplify their voices and shape global perceptions of their national interests and security concerns. For instance, Singapore strategically harnesses media to further their national interests and assert their influence on the global stage. Through its emphasis on education, Singapore has not only cultivated a highly skilled workforce but has also gained international recognition as a hub for innovation and education. This is also evident in Qatar’s nation branding efforts during the FIFA World Cup 2022, as various actors used the media to promote the country and strengthen its soft power skills. Small states showcase their unique strengths, achievements, and contributions to global issues, further enhancing its reputation and credibility on the international stage. Hence, the use of media for small states helps attract foreign investment allowing them to assert their influence in global affairs amid larger geopolitical forces.
Other than governments, different actors vocalize their political stance through the media. For example, the intersection of sports coverage with political and social issues exemplifies media politicization, showcasing how apolitical domains like sports can be swayed by political agendas through media portrayal. Colin Kaepernick's kneeling during the national anthem provides a powerful illustration of this intersection, sparking national debate and media scrutiny. While some outlets criticized Kaepernick's protest, others framed it as a forceful call for systemic change. This demonstrates that the media is not merely a neutral platform but rather a vehicle wielded by powerful entities to advocate social justice and challenge discrimination. Hence, media shapes and reflects political discourse, reinforcing the broader theme of media's politicization across various societal domains.
Western media outlets often play a significant role in shaping public opinion on international conflicts, and their coverage of the Ukraine war provides an example of how media can be politicized to align with the government's stance. During the Ukraine war, Western media outlets echoed the sentiments of the American government, often portraying Russia's actions in a highly critical light and emphasizing Russia’s violation of international law and sovereignty. This criticism was driven by the U.S. government's condemnation of Russia's invasion of Ukraine. These narratives were often accompanied by images and stories highlighting the human cost of the conflict, such as civilian casualties and displacement, to evoke sympathy and outrage among the American public.
Overall, the recurring theme of media politicization reveals how diverse actors leverage media to shape public opinion and achieve their political agendas. Hence, media serves as a powerful tool in shaping political discourse and reflecting the broader theme of politicization of media in societal constructs.
Relevant Examples:
The contrast in the framing of Russia during the Ukraine war and Israel in the genocide of the Palestinians showcases that media is manipulated by political interests, effectively making it a pawn in larger political games. When monitoring media coverage of Russia during the war, I noticed a pattern in tone which emphasized subjectivity. For example, BBC had “Walls full of pain: Russia’s torture cells in Ukraine” as their headline, which highlighted the alleged human rights abuses by Russia, framing it negatively and swaying influence on the public view against Russia (Guerin, 2022). Contrastingly, the headline “Israel Says Al Shifa Hospital Conceals Hamas Underground Command Centers” by the New York Times portrayed Israel’s actions in a defensive manner, creating a tone that suggested Israel’s reaction was a response to the security threat from Hamas (Yee, 2023). This apparent contrast in framing illustrates the significance of the politicization of media as we see selective presentations align with political interests. While coverage of Russia emphasizes their crime, Israel’s actions are often contextualized in the narrative of self-defense. This can be seen in another New York Times opinion piece that says, “Israel Can Defend Itself and Uphold Its Values,” which pushes for the self-defense narrative again (Editorial Board, 2023). However, The New York Times' harsh characterization of Russia in the headline "Vladimir Putin is the World's Most Dangerous Fool" reflects broader geopolitical biases reinforcing echoed beliefs (Friedman, 2023). Overall, the contrast in the illustration of Russia and Israel highlights the role of political affiliations in the media.
The distinct treatment of conflicts between Russia and Ukraine versus Israel and Palestine highlights the significant impact of the term “genocide” on framing public perception and revealing the media’s susceptibility to politics. Examining two headlines by Reuters demonstrates the contrast that emerges in their portrayal of events. The first headline "World court to rule on jurisdiction in Russia-Ukraine Genocide," acknowledges the conflict between Russia and Ukraine as potentially involving genocide, a term that calls for international concern (Reuters, 2024). On the other hand, "Israel and Palestine War: what you need to know right now" headline dismisses the ongoing genocide in Palestine by simplifying into a mere informative piece, without the same level of urgency and condemnation associated in the conflict between Ukraine and Russia (Reuters, 2023). By framing the conflict in Ukraine with terms like "genocide," the media elevates it to a level of global concern, while simultaneously downplaying the severity of the ongoing genocide in Palestine. The way these two conflicts are regarded is not necessarily influenced by governmental decisions but can also stem from personal biases of the journalists behind these headlines. Hence, this selective framing not only distorts public perception but also perpetuates the status quo, reinforcing the power dynamics at play.
The Qatari blockade significantly impacted my understanding of media and politics. As the blockade unfolded, I witnessed how media narratives, whether they were regional or Western, were manipulated and weaponized to serve political agendas. Some Western media outlets, influenced by regional alliances and geopolitical interests, framed the blockade in a way that favored blockading nations, essentially demonizing Qatar. The politicization of media became clear as headlines portrayed Qatar as a sponsor of terrorism and a destabilizing force in the region. This selective framing of the crisis echoed the narrative set out by blockading nations by regional media, concealing the complex geopolitical dynamics and spreading misinformation. Moreover, Western media changed their positions frequently whenever it served their political advantage, especially when the killing of Jamal Khashoggi took place. The significance of these manipulations is evident when considering headlines such as “Trump: Qatar must stop funding terrorism” (Gaouette et al., 2017) by CNN and “Trump praises Qatar’s efforts on combating terrorist financing” (BBC, 2018) by BBC, which were published months apart. These contrasting headlines illustrate the malleability of media narratives, demonstrating how they can be tailored to fit evolving agendas, thus emphasizing the importance of critical analysis and skepticism when consuming media news. Overall, the Qatari Blockade serves as a stark reminder of how it all plays out as propaganda that fuels a political game.
Reflection:
My experience with the Media and Politics minor has been eye-opening. It has offered insights into the deeply rooted connections between media narratives and political dynamics. It was a journey of discovery as I unraveled the different layers of influence that shape public opinions and create social constructs. Through the valuable coursework and engaging discussions, I’ve slowly grown to understand the power wielded not only by the media but also how governments and other actors use media to control and sway influence to drive specific agendas. Each course added a unique lens for me to understand the concept of politicization of media, whether it is from analyzing the portrayal of religion in media or exploring the geopolitics of energy security. Hence, this was not only an academic learning experience but has also improved my critical thinking skills, which proved to be essential for delving deeper into the complex nature of media and politics. Additionally, it has increased my awareness of the importance of the ethical responsibilities we hold in the cycle of media production and consumption.
Moreover, my understanding of the relationship between media and politics has undergone a significant transformation. Initially, I was not aware of the immense influence media has in shaping communities as they are carefully framed to cater to specific interests. I came to learn that various actors exploit the power of media, which challenged my preconceived conceptions regarding how the media functions in society, pushing me to adopt a more critical approach when it comes to media consumption. Moreover, I progressively began to encounter multiple aspects of media that allowed me to gain insight into its mechanism, such as selective framing and propaganda techniques. Therefore, examining case studies and real-world examples pushed me to deconstruct the underlying motives behind media representations. Overall, my understanding of the relationship between media and politics evolved as I began to frequently question the authenticity of the information that we readers consume.
Several factors have contributed to my understanding of media and politics as I was provided with a diverse range of the multifaceted nature of media influence. I was exposed to various theories and real-world examples through case studies. This has allowed me to develop a nuanced perspective into the different elements’ media serves to essentially feed political affiliations, such as the portrayal of Israel in Western media. Moving forward, I intend to apply what I have learned from this minor in my personal and professional life. Therefore, I will continue to question the dominant narrative, seek out diverse perspectives to shape my final thoughts, and actively engage in media literacy initiatives in efforts to promote media consumption practices within my community. By leveraging all of the knowledge and skills gained from this experience, I aim to contribute positively to the discourse in media and politics to foster greater accountability and ethics in media content.
Conclusion:
In conclusion, exploring themes like politicization of media to analyzing real-world examples, such as the role of governments in media during the Ukraine and Palestinian conflicts, was insightful. This experience has significantly clarified my understanding of the complex interrelationship between media and politics in the real world. Looking ahead, I am excited to apply this newfound knowledge as my experience with the Media and Politics minor has not only been valuable, but empowering, encouraging me to approach media with a critical eye and recognize its impact on society.
References
BBC. (2018). Trump praises Qatar’s efforts on combating terrorist financing. BBC News.
The Editorial Board. (2023). Israel can defend itself and uphold its values. The New York Times.
https://www.nytimes.com/2023/10/14/opinion/israel-gaza-war.html
Friedman, T. (2023). Vladimir Putin is the world’s most dangerous fool. The New York Times.
https://www.nytimes.com/2023/05/09/opinion/putin-ukraine-war.html
Gaouette, N., Merica, D., & Browne, R. (2017). Trump: Qatar must stop funding terrorism.
CNN.
Guerin, O. (2022). “Walls full of pain”: Russia’s torture cells in Ukraine. BBC News.
Reuters. (2023). Israel and Palestinian war: What you need to know right now. Reuters.
Reuters. (2024). World Court to rule on jurisdiction in Russia-Ukraine genocide.
https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/icj-rule-jurisdiction-russia-ukraine-genocide-case-2024-01-29/
Yee, V. (2023). Israel says Al Shifa hospital conceals Hamas Underground Command Centers.
The New York Times.
https://www.nytimes.com/2023/10/28/world/middleeast/gaza-al-shifa-hospital-israel.html