What is media?
channels through which information is transmitted e.g. radio, newspapers, internet
How does media influence law making?
- campaign to have laws changed by publishing headlines
- makes voters think about the current law on a certain topic
Media Example 1: The Sarah Payne Campaign
- in 2000, Sarah Payne was murdered by a paedophile
- News of the World began a name and shame campaign of known child sex offenders
- this led to the Child Sex Offenders Disclosure Scheme of 2011 which allowed for nationwide access to the sex offenders’ register for parents
Media Example 2: Exposure of the MPs expenses scandal
- the Daily Telegraph exposed MPs who were flipping homes and charging ludicrous items to expenses
- this led to the Parliamentary Standards Act 2009 which brought in the Independent Parliamentary Standards Authority (IPSA) to regulate expenses
Media Example 3: Snowdrop Campaign
- in 1996, 16 children were killed by a lone shooter
- this campaign led by the Daily Mail led to the banning of privately owned handguns under the Firearms (Amendment) Act 1997
Media Advantage 1: brings issues to the attention of the government
- explain: allows them to know the public’s opinion and media can alert the government to areas where new legislation is needed
- evidence: without the exposure of the MPs scandal, there would be no PSA 2009
- evaluation: this is a strong reason as the PSA 2009 is a direct result of media campaign and it led to reform of the whole system
- counter: the government can just ignore the media
Media Advantage 2: newspapers can raise the public profile of an issue
- explain: through headlines and articles they can alert the public to areas of law that needs changing
- evidence: without the exposure of the lack of control on paedophiles, parents may not have gotten access to the sex offenders’ register
- evaluation: this is a strong reason because it is hard for the government to ignore voters which means they are more likely to act
Media Advantage 3: raises public awareness of future law that the government want to bring in
- explain: government can use the media to explain new legislation to the public so that when it is brought in, they are more likely to be accepting of it
- evidence: Theresa May and David Cameron used the media to explain that the Immigration Act 2016 will make it an offence to employ illegal workers
- evaluation: this is a strong reason because it shows the public that the government are responding to their concerns about illegal immigration
- counter: sometimes politicians can evade/answer questions about new legislation badly which can reduce the public’s trust and support
Media Disadvantage 1: media tycoons have too much power over politicians
- explain: this means they can use the media to push their own views and manipulate politicians
- evidence: Murdoch funds the Conservatives which means he can influence who is in cabinet in return for good press (e.g. he asked for Gove’s reappointment)
- evaluation: this is a strong disadvantage as it shows that media tycoons are undermining democracy
Media Disadvantage 2: media whips up public opinion
- explain: they can exaggerate issues which can result in public unrest
- evidence: when News of the World published 100 pictures of known sexual offenders, it led to vigilantism and Iain Armstrong was wrongfully attacked
- evaluation: this is a strong reason as although many are aware of the sensationalist nature of headlines, most only read headlines from outlets which confirm their own bias which means they are strongly influenced by media and this can sometimes have a negative effect
Media Advantage 3: can lead to rushed legislation
- explain: public opinion from certain headlines can lead to the government taking quick action to reduce discontent
- evidence: Dangerous Dogs Act 1991 was a direct reaction to media stories of children being mauled by dogs and this act then had to be repealed in 1997 as it was unjust
- evaluation: this is a strong reason as it can take years to repeal problematic legislation which leads to injustice for all that time
What are pressure groups?
a body of people with a shared interest in getting Parliament to change an area of law
How do pressure groups try to influence Parliament?
- targeting politicians (lobbying)
- petitions/campaigns
- gaining publicity e.g. protests, marches, stunts
What are the 2 types of pressure groups?
- sectional: represent a section of society e.g. trade unions
- promotional: united by a particular ideal cause which they promote
Sectional Pressure Groups Example 1: BMA
- represent doctors
- lobbied against smoking in cars where children are present
- led to the Smoke free (private vehicles) regulations 2015
Sectional Pressure Groups Example 2: Law Society
- represent solicitors
- started the Sound Off for Justice campaign in 2011 to highlight the dangers of legal aid cuts
- currently campaigning for the government to give solicitors a 15% pay rise to match what was given to barristers
Promotional Pressure Groups Example 1: SayNo2ID
- campaigned against proposed legislation which would force people to carry an ID card
- they were successful as the ID Card Act 2006 was repealed 4 years later
Promotional Pressure Groups Example 2: Greenpeace
- campaigned against fracking under people’s homes and horizontally under greenbelt
- however, the Infrastructure Act 2015 was still introduced but there was a temporary ban on all fracking in 2019
Pressure Groups Advantage 1: gives the public especially minorities a voice
- explain: they can stage peaceful protests
- evidence: the Countryside Alliance against the Hunting Act 2004
- evaluation: this is a strong point because it upholds democracy
- counter: not all protests are peaceful and can cause disruption
Pressure Groups Advantage 2: can raise public awareness of issues
- evidence: Law Society highlighted the risks of cutting legal aid which people may have not realised otherwise
- explain: this encourages people to write to MPs
- evaluation: this is a weak reason because it is only really valid for larger pressure groups
Pressure Groups Advantage 3: helps MPs keep in touch with what people think
- evidence: the pressure NEU and other educational trade unions put on the government prevented the opening of new grammar schools
- evaluation: this is a weak reason because MPs don’t have to listen
Pressure Groups Disadvantage 1: government don’t have to listen to them especially relevant for smaller groups
- evidence: Law Society protested against legal aid cuts but LASPO 2012 was still brought in
- evaluation: this is a weak reason for larger pressure groups as they gain more influence which means the government are more likely to listen
