In navigating the complexities of modern governance and communications, the Media and Politics Minor has served as an illuminating journey, offering invaluable insights into the intricate relationship between media and politics. Through a curated selection of courses, including those delving into ideology, memory, law, ethics, documentary, and political systems, I gained invaluable insights into how media influences political discourse and vice versa, shaping public perception and reflecting the broader socio-political landscape. As I reflect on my experience within this Minor, I aim to delve into the transformative impact it has had on my understanding of contemporary issues, my critical analysis skills, and my ability to navigate the dynamic landscape of media and politics. I will explore relevant examples, such as the hijab controversy in Iran, and reflect on how they intersect with concepts of social constructivism, identity, and the enduring relevance of media in shaping political narratives.
Connections by theme:
The courses that I have chosen to take for my Media and Politics Minor came to craft a curriculum that aligns with my envisioned trajectory for the Media and Politics Minor. The courses I chose were based on their relevance to the intersection of media and politics and their potential to deepen my understanding of this dynamic relationship. As a result, I found common themes among the courses that I took including ideology, memory, law, ethics, documentary, and political systems. Exploring the different intersections from the various courses offered me a unique perspective on how politics and media influence and shape each other. Different dimensions of this relationship, whether through the lens of ideology, law, ethics, documentary filmmaking, or digital authoritarianism. Together, the courses I took for the Media and Politics Minor provided a comprehensive understanding of how politics and media intersect, shaping public perception, influencing policy decisions, and reflecting the broader socio-political landscape. Taking courses, to mention a few, U.S. Political Systems, Media Law and Ethics, Public Diplomacy, and Political Ideologies has allowed me to further explore modern governance and communication. With the role of media in shaping political ideologies, the impact of media law and ethics on journalistic practices, the use of documentary filmmaking as a tool for political advocacy, and the challenges posed by digital authoritarianism could be examined in depth. Allowing myself to analyze these courses through the lens of their shared theme, I got to gain valuable insights into the dynamic relationship between politics and media in contemporary society.
Suitable illustration:
I enjoyed attending various events both at NUQ and GUQ that revolved around the topic of media and politics and that have helped me open conversations with people to further analyze the sessions that were held. One of the events that I remember vividly that took place in the Fall of 2023 would have to be the film screening for Mr. Jones followed by a Q&A session with Andrea Chalupa. The film portrayed how the soviet regime under Stalin manipulated information and controlled the media to present a false image of prosperity and progress. This manipulation served the political interests of maintaining power and suppressing dissent. Jones's journey to Ukraine exposes the stark contrast between the official narrative and the harsh realities faced by the Ukrainian people during the Holodomor famine. Bringing it hand in hand with the role of journalists in exposing the truth, Gareth Jones’s character exemplifies the crucial role of journalists in uncovering and reporting the truth, even in the face of immense political pressure and censorship. His determination to seek our firsthand accounts and document the suffering of the Ukrainian people highlights the importance of independent journalism as a check on government power and propaganda.
With relevance to politics and media, the themes explored in Mr. Jones remain highly relevant in today’s political and media landscape. The film serves as a reminder of the importance of critical thinking and the need for a free and independent press to hold those in power accountable. It also raises questions about the role of social media and digital technology in shaping public discourse and the spread of misinformation in the modern era. Overall, I believe the screening of this film was incredibly relevant to the topic of media and politics since it explores the intersection of media, politics, and power, highlighting the enduring relevance of its themes in understanding the complexities of authoritarianism and the struggle for truth and justice. With the ongoing war in Ukraine, the connections between Jones’s quest for the truth against state-sponsored lies and the ongoing effort to obtain truthful reporting on the conflict in Ukraine highlight the film’s theme’s continuing significance for comprehending the relationship between politics, media, and power. It also serves as a reminder of the crucial role that journalists play in keeping the powerful responsible and defending the value of justice and truth during difficult times.
A topic that brought my attention during my studies in the Media and Politics Minor and one that was often helped bring in social constructivism, and identity has been the controversy surrounding Iranian women’s struggle with the mandatory wearing of the hijab. This issue exemplifies how societal norms and political mandates intersect to shape identities and influence public discourse. Iran’s government imposed the hijab legislation, which established a new
“hijab and chastity” bill back in 2023. This law laid out penalties for violators of the nation’s mandated clothing code, particularly for women. That year, 152 lawmakers voted in favor of the proposal, 34 opposed, and seven abstained, approving its three-year trial period (Al Jazeera, 2023). The hijab became a symbol of state control over women’s bodies and identities, influencing the perception of femininity and modesty. Media representations of Iranian women’s resistance to the hijab law play a crucial role in challenging dominant narratives and mobilizing political resistance. Through digital activism and grassroots movements, Iranian women have utilized media platforms to express their agency and reclaim their identities. This example underscores the power of media in shaping political discourse and amplifying marginalized voices, highlighting the complex interplay between media, politics, social constructivism, and identity in contemporary society.
Introspection and self-evaluation:
Throughout my experience in the Minor, I was able to gain valuable insights into the intricate relationship between media and politics. As I reflect on my experience, I recognize the transformative impact this Minor has had on my understanding of contemporary issues and my ability to critically analyze media representations of political events. Understanding the relationship between the two topics media and politics and being able to relate them to one another was the most crucial thing I wanted to focus on when taking this major. Initially, my understanding of the relationship between media and politics could have been more simplistic. I viewed media as a passive channel for political messages, rather than a dynamic force that shapes public opinion and influences political outcomes. However, as I progressed through the Minor, I came to appreciate the complex interplay between media and politics. Through courses such as Media Law and Ethics and Digital Authoritarianism, I gained a deeper understanding of how media manipulation, censorship, and propaganda tactics are used to advance political agendas. One of the most significant developments through the Minor has been the enhancement of my critical analysis skills. By studying political ideologies, documentary filmmaking, and memory representation in film, I learned to deconstruct media narratives and discern underlying biases and agendas. Recent events such as the coverage of the COVID-19 pandemic and Iran’s decade-long history of movements more specifically revolving around women's rights provided ample opportunities to apply these skills. For example, analyzing media coverage of protests allowed me to identify framing techniques and evaluate the portrayal of the social justice movement in the media.
Perhaps the most impactful aspect of the Media and Politics Minor has been its relevance to ongoing crises that took place over the past couple of years. The Media and Politics Minor has heightened my awareness of the profound influence of media political discourse and public opinion. This newfound understanding has inspired me to pursue a career path that allows me to contribute to the intersection of media and politics. For instance, I had the opportunity to intern at Al Jazeera Media Network in the digital department, where I covered a podcast show focusing on topics related to media, politics, and global affairs. This internship not only allowed me to apply the theoretical concepts learned in my minor but also provided hands-on experience in navigating the dynamic landscape of media and politics. Furthermore, my involvement in the Middle East Council on Global Affairs has enabled me to tackle similar topics to those I explored during my minor, further solidifying my passion for this field and my ability to contribute meaningfully to discussions surrounding media and politics.
Overall, my experience in the Media and Politics Minor has not only shaped my academic journey by has also laid the foundation for my future career aspirations in this impactful and ever-evolving field. During my three years taking the Media and Politics Minor, courses such as Women and Documentary provided crucial insights into how media representations shape cultural narratives and memory construction. One particularly poignant example that emerged from our discussions was the global response to the hijab controversy in Iran. This issue sheds light on the significant role of media in amplifying voices and exposing human rights violations, especially regarding women’s rights. Through our examination of this debate, I came to understand how media plays a pivotal role in shaping international perceptions of politics surrounding women’s rights in Iran severed as a vivid illustration of the complexities inherent in modern governance and communication. It underscored the necessity of critically analyzing media portrayals and narratives to grasp the underlying dynamics at play. As I reflect on my journey in the Media and Politics Minor, I recognize the enduring value of these insights in shaping my future academic and professional endeavors guiding me to navigate the intricate intersections of media and politics with depth and understanding.
Whether pursuing further studies in political science or working in media-related fields, the critical thinking science or working in media-related fields, the critical thinking skills, and interdisciplinary perspectives acquired through this Minor will continue to inform my approach to understanding and engaging with media and politics. For that, my experience with the Media and Politics Minor has been transformative, deepening my understanding often the complex relationship between media and politics and equipping me with the analytical tools to navigate this dynamic landscape. By critically engaging with the course material and applying theoretical concepts to real-world events, I have developed a nuanced perspective on the role of media in shaping political discourse and societal narratives.