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Read Item M below and answer the question that follows - AQA - A-Level Sociology - Question 20 - 2017 - Paper 2
Question 20
Read Item M below and answer the question that follows. Item M The new media are changing the way in which members of society interact with the media and with each... show full transcript
Worked Solution & Example Answer:Read Item M below and answer the question that follows - AQA - A-Level Sociology - Question 20 - 2017 - Paper 2
Step 1
Analyse two ways in which the new media may affect the political process - Increased Political Engagement
Answer
The advent of new media has significantly boosted political engagement among citizens. With the ability to share information and publish opinions instantly, individuals can participate in political discussions more actively. This does not only allow for the dissemination of information but also empowers citizens to mobilize and engage in activism through social media platforms. For instance, movements like the Arab Spring were largely influenced by social media, which played a pivotal role in organizing protests and spreading awareness about political issues.
Step 2
Analyse two ways in which the new media may affect the political process - Spread of Misinformation
Answer
On the other hand, the new media can also negatively impact the political process by facilitating the spread of misinformation. Since anyone can create and share content, it becomes challenging to discern credible information from false narratives. Misinformed citizens may make poorly informed political choices, which can distort the democratic process. As highlighted in Item M, the validity of new media content is often questionable, leading to a public more susceptible to believing in unverified information, further complicating political discourse.