Pesquisa e Opinião Pública - Aula 03 - Comunicação e Controle

Prof. Arnaldo Vieira

11 Mar 202114:52

Summary

TLDRThis script delves into the complex relationship between public opinion, media, and government in shaping society. It discusses the theoretical aspects of public opinion control and its influence on democratic processes. The speaker highlights the symbiotic dance between these elements, emphasizing the power of communication techniques like humor in swaying public sentiment. The script also touches on different governmental approaches to media control, from liberal to authoritarian, and the impact of economic groups on information dissemination. It concludes by emphasizing the importance of understanding these dynamics for effective communication in a democratic society.

Takeaways

😀 The script discusses the concept of public opinion and its relationship with media and government control in a democratic society.
📚 It emphasizes the theoretical aspect of public opinion, explaining how it emerges from people's views and interacts with communication media and government bodies.
🌐 The speaker uses the term 'tripod' to describe the dynamic relationship between public opinion, media, and government controllers in society.
👥 In an ideal democracy, public opinion should guide government actions, but in reality, media control often influences public opinion, which in turn may or may not affect government actions.
🏛️ The script gives an example of how the Brazilian judicial system can be influenced by lobbyists, affecting public opinion without necessarily leading to legislative changes.
🗳️ It mentions different governmental systems like presidential and parliamentary systems and how they handle the balance of power and public opinion differently.
🎭 The use of humor in propaganda is highlighted as an effective tool to shape public opinion, citing an example of the Israeli government's campaign.
📈 The script explains the three main functions of communication techniques: to entertain, inform, and form opinions, with humor being a powerful method to achieve these goals.
🔒 The difference between liberal and authoritarian governments in terms of media control is discussed, with liberal governments allowing more freedom of expression and authoritarian governments exerting direct control over media.
💡 The role of economic groups in controlling information and influencing public opinion is also addressed, noting their significant power in shaping societal narratives.
🔄 The script concludes by emphasizing the importance of understanding these concepts to navigate the complex interplay between public opinion, media, and government control.

Q & A

What is the main focus of the lecture script provided?
-The main focus of the lecture script is the exploration of public opinion, its relationship with media and government, and the theoretical aspects of communication studies.
What is the 'tripé' or 'tripod' mentioned in the script, and how does it relate to public opinion?
-The 'tripod' refers to the three main elements involved in the dynamic of public opinion: public opinion itself, the media, and government authorities. These three elements interact symbiotically, dealing with information flow.
How does the script describe the ideal role of public opinion in a democracy?
-In an ideal democracy, public opinion should guide and control the actions of the government, meaning that the people's views should set the agenda for governmental actions.
What is the role of humor in communication according to the script?
-Humor is described as a powerful tool in communication, especially for creating public opinion. It can make a message more easily accepted and can be used to influence people's opinions effectively.
What is an example given in the script about the influence of public opinion on a specific issue?
-The script mentions the example of 'saidinhas' or prison visits in Brazil, where public opinion has not effectively led to changes in the judicial system despite widespread disapproval.
How does the script differentiate between liberal and authoritarian governments in terms of communication control?
-In liberal governments, there is more freedom for individuals to express themselves and establish media outlets, albeit with some state control. In authoritarian governments, the state directly organizes and controls the media outlets.
What is the role of economic groups in controlling information according to the script?
-Economic groups can exert significant control over information by owning media outlets or by influencing state-controlled media through various means such as lobbying or controlling resources like paper for newspapers.
What are the three main functions or objectives of communication techniques mentioned in the script?
-The three main functions or objectives are to entertain, inform, and form public opinion.
How does the script relate the concept of 'divertir' or entertainment to the control of public opinion?
-The script suggests that by using entertainment, such as humor, as part of communication strategies, it can be an effective way to control public opinion by making messages more palatable and memorable.
What is the importance of understanding the content of the script for students of communication?
-Understanding the content is crucial for students of communication as it provides them with the tools to analyze and understand the dynamics of public opinion, media influence, and governmental control in the context of communication.
How does the script suggest that the state can indirectly control media in more liberal countries?
-The script suggests that even in liberal countries, the state can indirectly control media through means such as granting licenses for radio or TV stations, or by controlling resources needed for media production.

Outlines

00:00

📚 Public Opinion and Media Influence

The speaker introduces the concept of public opinion and its complex relationship with media and government in a democratic society. They discuss the symbiotic dance between public opinion, media, and government, emphasizing the role of communication students in understanding these dynamics. The speaker also highlights the ideal scenario where public opinion guides government actions, contrasting it with the reality where media control can influence public opinion, often leading to a disconnect between public sentiment and government response.

05:01

🎭 The Power of Humor in Shaping Public Opinion

This paragraph delves into the role of communication techniques, specifically humor, in shaping public opinion. The speaker uses the example of the Israeli government's campaign to promote vaccination, employing humor to effectively convey a serious message. They discuss how humor can be a powerful tool for communication, making it easier for the public to engage with and remember the message. The paragraph also touches on the broader impact of media on society, including the pressure to stay informed to avoid social exclusion.

10:03

🌐 Media Control in Democratic and Authoritarian Governments

The speaker explores the differences in media control between democratic and authoritarian governments. In democratic societies, individuals have the freedom to establish media outlets, albeit with some regulatory oversight. In contrast, authoritarian governments exert direct control over media, influencing the flow of information. The paragraph also discusses the subtler forms of control, such as economic influence through monopolies or state ownership, and the challenges that arise when powerful economic groups seek to control information dissemination.

Mindmap

Keywords

💡Public opinion

Public opinion refers to the collective views and attitudes of a group of people regarding a particular matter. In the video, it is discussed as a concept that emerges from the opinions of individuals and is influenced by media and government actions. It is a key component in the dynamic between the public, media, and government, shaping societal norms and influencing policy decisions.

💡Media control

Media control in the script refers to the regulation and influence over the dissemination of information by the government or other entities. It is a concept that highlights the power dynamics in a society where those who control the media can shape public opinion. The script mentions how in some countries, media outlets are directly controlled by the state, while in others, there is a more liberal approach allowing for greater freedom of expression.

💡Government control

Government control is the concept of how the state influences or directs the actions and behaviors of its citizens. The video discusses this in the context of a democratic system where ideally, the government's actions should be controlled by public opinion. However, it also points out the reality where governments, through control of media, can manipulate public opinion to serve their interests.

💡Communication studies

Communication studies is an academic field that examines the process, effects, and meaning of communication in society. The script mentions that as students of communication, the audience should have the tools to understand the complex interactions between public opinion, media, and government. It is through these studies that one can critically analyze the messages conveyed by media and their impact on society.

💡Democratic system

A democratic system is a form of government where power is vested in the people and exercised through a system of representation, typically involving elected officials. The video script discusses the ideal democratic system where public opinion should guide government actions, contrasting it with the reality where media and government control can overshadow the public's voice.

💡Authoritarian government

An authoritarian government is characterized by a concentration of power, often in the hands of a single ruler or a small group, with limited political freedoms. The script uses this term to describe governments that exert direct control over media and communication channels, shaping public opinion in a way that serves their interests rather than reflecting the will of the people.

💡Liberal government

A liberal government is one that upholds principles of individual liberty, freedom of speech, and minimal state intervention. In the context of the video, a liberal government allows for greater media freedom, where individuals can establish communication channels without excessive state control, fostering a more open exchange of ideas and opinions.

💡Propaganda

Propaganda is a form of communication that aims to influence the attitude of a community towards a cause or position. The script discusses the use of humor in propaganda as a powerful tool to make messages more palatable and memorable to the public, using the example of a campaign by the Israeli government promoting vaccination against COVID-19.

💡Judicial system

The judicial system refers to the collection of courts, judges, and procedures that interpret and apply the law. The video script mentions the influence of lobbyists on the Brazilian judicial system, suggesting that public opinion may not always lead to effective changes in the legal landscape, as seen in the example of prisoners being released for family visits and subsequently escaping.

💡Parliamentary system

A parliamentary system is a democratic form of government where the executive branch derives its democratic legitimacy from, and is held accountable to, the legislature (parliament). The script contrasts this with a presidential system, where the executive is independent of the legislature, and discusses how in a parliamentary system, public opinion can more directly influence legislative actions and law changes.

💡Censorship

Censorship is the suppression or prohibition of any parts of books, films, news, or other forms of media that are considered politically unacceptable, obscene, or a threat to security. The video script touches on the concept of censorship in the context of media control, where it can be used by governments to limit the flow of information and shape public opinion.

Highlights

Introduction to the theoretical aspects of public opinion and its relationship with media and government control.

The concept of public opinion as an emerging phenomenon from people's views and its interaction with communication media.

The triangular relationship between public opinion, media, and government controllers in society.

The role of communication students in understanding the dynamics of communication within a democratic society.

The ideal scenario of public opinion controlling government actions in a democracy.

The problem of media control by governments and its impact on shaping public opinion.

The example of the Brazilian judicial system being influenced by lobbyists and public opinion.

The ineffectiveness of public opinion in driving legislative changes despite widespread consensus.

The comparison between presidential and parliamentary systems and their impact on public opinion and law-making.

The use of humor as a powerful tool in communication to shape public opinion.

The Israeli government's campaign using humor to promote vaccination as an example of effective communication.

The three main functions of communication techniques: to entertain, inform, and form opinions.

The interrelation between the functions of communication and their impact on society.

The role of media in shaping public opinion and its potential manipulation by governments.

The distinction between liberal and authoritarian governments in terms of media control and public opinion formation.

The indirect control of media by the state in liberal governments through concessions and regulations.

The direct control of media by authoritarian governments and the challenges it poses to public opinion formation.

The influence of economic groups on media control and their potential conflict with state interests.

The importance of understanding the complex dynamics between public opinion, media, and government for effective communication studies.