Summary
How journalists perceive media influence was explored by comparing results from a survey of Israeli journalists (n = 200) and a survey of the Israeli adult population (n = 1,203). As predicted, journalists demonstrated significant third-person perceptions (TPPs), but these were actually smaller than those of the public. Journalists tended more than the public to perceive media influence as positive. Journalists perceiving a stronger media influence were relatively new journalists and worked for local media, but had some formal education in journalism.
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Extract
Exploring Journalists' Perceptions of Media Impact
The concept of influence has been central to the study of journalism from the outset. Questions of whether media can influence society and change the beliefs and behaviors of both public and politicians have fueled an entire tradition of communication effects research.1 As Zelizer noted, "an interest in journalism's effect on the public became a natural part of sociological inquiry on journalism."2
While assessment of media influence has been prominent in communication research, journalists' own perceptions of media influence have remained relatively unexplored. The current investigation explores journalists' perceptions of media impact, comparing results of surveys of Israeli journalists and of the Israeli general public, and is theoretically and methodologically guided by past research on the third-person perception (TPP).Journalism and the Notion of Media ImpactAs a professional community, journalists maintain a tenuous relationship with the concept of influence. On the one hand, journalists perceive their work as influential in providing vital information enabling the public to keep track of current events and make rational political choices.3 On the other hand, journalists shy away from the idea that their work may impact "reality" rather than merely reflecting it. The dominant professional ideology of journalism, as epitomized in the objectiveneutral model of journalistic practice, maintains that journalism is (or should strive to be) an objective, value-free endeavor, and that journalists are detached observers of social l...See the full content of this document
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