Impact Of Mass Communication On Social Policy Making And Practice

Abstract

This article uses the Internet as a case study to examine how the media affects the making of public policy. In terms of its impact on public policy, the media serves as an intermediate and a watchdog, and it does so with remarkable unity. The mainstream media's influence on public policy has been greatly expanded with the advent of the anonymous, open, free, and initiative-filled internet in today's society. It is important to remember, however, that our flawed legal system and the people's apathy towards politics may have a negative impact on the media's ability to undermine governmental power and even influence the independence and accuracy with which public policy is established.