Manipulation of Journalists by External Sources

Just like any other important aspect in the society, there are external factors that influence or manipulate the media today. With the introduction of online media, these manipulative forces have possibly become stronger, and more influential. Ideally, media manipulation is defined as a series of related techniques whereby partisans create an aspect of argument in news piece that favors particular interests. The mentioned tactics include the use of rhetorical and propaganda techniques, outright deception, logical fallacies, and psychological manipulations. Most of these techniques focus towards suppression of information by crowding out some points, inducing the targeted audience not to subscribe to the intended opinions or simply by diverting the attention of the audience. Ideally, manipulation is usually done by powerful organizations such as governments.

Judging from the amount of power that these institutions command, it would be easy to conclude that indeed, it is easy for journalists to be manipulated. However, it is also apparent that journalists too hold quite a lot of power. Their voice is heard by the people and the people respect and trust journalists more than the governments and other institutions. Additionally, in democratic societies, such as the United States, manipulating a people is not easy. Ideally, even propaganda depends largely on the power to convince. Therefore, the battle between organizations seeking to manipulate journalists through spreading propaganda, and journalists are won by the more convincing party (Black 2001). A journalist should report news in a way that represents facts in a clear and convincing way, without necessarily hinting any intent of spreading fake or personal opinions.

Simply convince the audience (Black 2001). Limiting access The primary function of all journalists is to find information, and ensure that it reaches its audience, the people. In fact, intimidation is possibly one of the most common ways of manipulating journalists. In some instances, manipulative methods can become as extreme as threats and even murder. External forces such as the government may even use the police to intimidate the media by physically harassing them, during the protests led by Martin Luther King jr. , the police intimidated media personnel repeatedly by treating them like protestors. Journalists were harassed, attacked and even arrested (Boorstin 2012). The reporter, in an interview quoted that he had felt so much manipulated, as a result of conflict of interest (2018).

Journalists have been suspended, some even sacked for the reason of conflict of interests. It is okay to subscribe to certain ideas, such as political parties. However, it is more advisable for a journalist to avoid any conflict of interests, for the sake of efficiency at work. Censorship and manipulation Censorship can be defined as the suppression of public communication, speech or other information on the basis that the material is objectionable and is no fit to be viewed by the public. Although the attempts failed, this was an attempt to use censorship laws to manipulate the media. Conclusion Conclusively, the media and journalists all over the world face many challenges especially with regard to manipulation. Obviously, there are many organizations including the government that may not want some information to get to the people.