Recap of the Influence of the Media and Pressure Groups on Parliament

Influence of the Media on Parliament - Recap Name 2 types of media Name 4 newspapers What issue does the Daily Mail try to influence Parliament about? What issue does the Sun try to influence Parliament about? What was the name of the campaign run by the News of the World and what change did it have on the law? What issue did the Daily Telegraph investigate and what change did it have on the law? Name 2 advantages of the Media’s influence on Parliament Name 2 disadvantages of the Media’s influence on Parliament

Name 2 types of media Television Radio Newspapers Internet Social Media

Name 4 newspapers Daily Mail The Sun News of the World Telegraph The Times The Guardian The Independent The Daily Express Bonus points – can you tell me which political party each one supported in the 2015 General Election?

What issue does the Daily Mail try to influence Parliament about? Immigration or asylum issues to try and achieve tighter controls

What issue does the Sun try to influence Parliament about? Campaigns against what it sees as the growing influence of the EU on British life

What was the name of the campaign run by the News of the World and what change did it have on the law? Name and Shame campaign 2000 – following the murder of Sarah Payne by a paedophile, it published details of known paedophiles. This forced the government to take action– this resulted in a register of sex offenders and the promise of much closer supervision of those released into the community

What issue did the Daily Telegraph investigate and what change did it have on the law? Played an important part in bringing about reform of the MPs expenses rules when it published details in 2009 showing what expenses some MPs were claiming

Name 2 advantages of the Media’s influence on Parliament Plays a powerful role in brining issues to the attention of Parliament or government and can force it to act – e.g. Daily Telegraph and MP expenses and News of the World and register of sex offenders Coverage in newspapers and television/radio can raise the public profile of an issue and add weight to public opinion – this makes the government feel pressured to make legislative reforms – government is ultimately answerable to the electorate and fears losing favour with the public as this could lead to defeat in an election Can help the success of pressure groups – e.g. Snowdrop campaign was publicised in the Daily Mail and television channels which helped them share their concerns with the government and the public

Name 2 disadvantages of the Media’s influence on Parliament Ownership of British newspapers and other branches of the media is in the hands of a relatively small number of individuals Newspapers often adopt views that reflect those of their owners – e.g. Rupert Murdoch who owns The Sun, The Times, the Sunday Times and Sky television – has used these to project his own views, particularly his strong opposition to the EU Concern about the link between the media and politicians – e.g. the appointment of Andy Coulson, former News of the World editor, as David Cameron’s director of communications in 2007 and the social contacts between David Cameron and Rebekah Brooks when she was editor of News of the World Newspapers are in business to make a profit and will publish material that will sell copies - have a tendency to create panics by drawing attention to and often exaggerating issues, such as activities of paedophiles. Media may sometimes whip up public opinion, which can result in unwise legislation – arguably the case with the Dangerous Dogs Act 1991

Influences of Pressure Groups on Parliament – Recap What is a pressure group? What are the 4 types of pressure groups? Give an example of a sectional/interest pressure group Give an example of a cause pressure group Give 2 reasons why sectional groups can be successful in influencing Parliament Give an example of a law which was passed due to a sectional group Give an example of a law which was passed due to a cause group Give an example of a pressure group run by an individual which has influenced a law to be passed Give an example of a pressure group set up in response to an event Give 2 advantages of pressure groups Give 2 disadvantages of pressure groups

What is a pressure group? Groups of people with a shared interest in getting the government to change the law in certain areas

What are the 4 types of pressure groups? Sectional/Interest Cause Insider Outsider

Give an example of a sectional/interest pressure group British Medical Association National Union of Teachers RMT Unison

Give an example of a cause pressure group Greenpeace Amnesty International Fathers4Justice Stonewall RSPCA Etc.

Give 2 reasons why sectional groups can be successful in influencing Parliament They represent large or powerful groups whose support the government needs to gain or retain. These groups are often wealthy and can afford to employ research staff and mount extensive publicity campaigns.

Give an example of a law which was passed due to a sectional group Ban on smoking in public places in July 2007 was partly the result of lobbying by the British Medical Association

Give an example of a law which was passed due to a cause group RSPCA –promoted the Animal Welfare Bill which was passed as an Act in 2006 which requires owners to provide their pets with food, water, shelter, veterinary care and freedom to move about Stonewall– successful campaign resulted in Parliament passing the Civil Partnerships Act in 2004 and legalising gay marriage in 2012

Give an example of a pressure group run by an individual which has influenced a law to be passed Mary Whitehouse headed a campaign against child pornography which led to government introducing the Protection of Children Act 1984 Jamie Oliver was successful in promoting healthier meals in schools – TV series devoted to the cause which gained him support from many sectional groups e.g. National Union of Teachers and British Medical Association – in 2006 the Department for Education issued The Education (Nutritional Standards for School Food) Regulations containing similar provision to those suggested by Jamie Oliver.

Give an example of a pressure group set up in response to an event The Snowdrop Campaign – set up after the Dunblane massacre in 1996 – resulted in Parliament banning the private ownership of most types of handguns

Give 2 advantages of pressure groups Give the public and minorities a voice. Help MPs keep in touch with what people think Raise public awareness of issues Members have considerable expertise and can suggest detailed and well-thought-out law changes.

Give 2 disadvantages of pressure groups They are inevitably biased in favour of their interest or cause Some large groups which represent powerful organisations are very influential and it is difficult for smaller groups to match their influence Methods some groups use can be a problem – e.g. strikes and protests can cause disruption. Tactics of Fathers4Justice have been criticised. Methods can be criminal