Social impact of media discourse in the age of iDeology. A perspective from the global periphery

Text Sample:
Chapter 3: Literature review:
There is a vast body of work examining the potential of the media to influence ist audience. Within the legal context, this too has been a focal point for discussion and various studies have been executed for the purpose of seeking to determine whether and to what extent the actors within the judicial system are affected by media discourse and portrayals and depictions of law and the legal system. The studies undertaken present diverse and differing approaches in analysis of media discourse and ist potential influence. However, many of them attempt to evaluate the effect that the media may have on the outcome of trials and the sentencing in both civil and criminal cases. Quite a few works analyze how increased exposure to media content - whether it includes depictions of crimes or their victims, critical content of lenient or harsh sentencing, commentary on damage awards or the progression of cases through the judicial system - would affect the outcome of cases. Studies undertaken in the United States of America have evaluated the relationship from a different angle, assessing how the extent of coverage of judges and case outcomes may influence future decisions and thus, through increased scrutiny, enhance consistency (Lim, Snyder & Strömberg, 2010). Similarly, other works indicate that the extent of influence may depend on the manner of appointment of judges (such as election-based selection), particularly where the discourse in the media relates to or reflects public opinion on certain issues (Lim, Snyder & Strömberg, 2010; Beale, 2006).
Studies analyzing the relationship between the related media content and the outcome of trials or sentencing have shown that there is a lack of influence or comparatively reduced extent of influence where cases are heard by professional judges. This is notably identified as being on account of their professional training and experience and thus mitigated media bias (Philippe

Dr. Martin Abdel Matin Gansinger (born 1979 in Austria) studied Communication Science and Political Science at the University of Vienna. He conducted long-term field studies on extemporaneous communication and traditional culture in Ghana, Morocco and Cyprus and regularly publishes work on contemporary aspects of philosophy, ethics and religion in the context of media and popular culture. Next to his professional experience as a journalist and PR coordinator and affiliations with universities in Germany and Cyprus he is currently based in France and works as an author and editor for various international publishing houses.