In the past half century, media influence has been enlarged by the rise of podcasts and social media. Radio and television were two of the main sources for information in the 1970s. Political elites held a huge influence over public opinion and knowledge. However, consumers can access information from many sources, allowing them to decentralize the distribution and source of information. Misinformation has been spread and propaganda is easier thanks to social media (Sunstein 2018). While media power has increased and people have more access to information about politics, political intolerance has emerged from the increase in misinformation.
For information about political policies, the majority of politicians used both print and mass media. Radio and newspapers were the main sources of information in the 1970s. Pamphlets, periodicals and other printed material were issued by the government to promote public involvement and outline its goals and policies. The trend changed in the 1980s with the rise of television chats and TV talk shows. In 2017, Fortin-Rittberger and others.
The government was the main source of propaganda due to limited interactions between politicians and citizens. The government created misinformation about communism during the cold war to gain popular support and implement a military strategy against the Soviet Union. In 1990, internet technology changed the way people interact with their leaders. Owen 2017, 2017: Politicians mobilize people to affect voters’ opinions and recruit funders and volunteers. The internet allowed political parties to engage in an open dialog, but its geographical reach was limited.
Social media technology has had a profound impact on the country’s political process in the 21st century. Social media platforms like YouTube, Twitter and TikTok have made it easier to mobilize voters and manipulate public opinion. The impact of social media on the recent US presidential election has been significant. Social media was used by voters and candidates to share their passions and to encourage others to vote in the 2008 election. The influence of social media on election results is so great (Sunstein 2018, 2018). Most parties use social media data for the best advertising and marketing strategies to support their manifestos. Social media has been used by both the Conservatives and Liberals to recruit and retain supporters for their agendas.
The problem is that there are so many false information and propagandists, it has led to calls for oversight and legislation. The Conservatives were accused of using social networking sites to spread misinformation, an accusation that is far more common than liberals. (Samples 2019). Some have doubted the integrity of America’s electoral system because of their dependence on fake news and the persistent allegations of fraud via social media. Some voters believed in conspiracy theories and social media fanaticism, leading to accusations of fraud and rebellion in the capital in January 2020.