Selections of the local leaders grab a highly attention to many local residents and peoples. This proved that participation of the population in selections of their leaders is an increasingly as common event nowadays. According to Alexander D (2007), state that the phenomenon also happened in country such as India, United States and Australia facing a huge number of populations that involved during the general elections process to determine their favoured leaders. According to Alex Gusmao (n.d), the practiced of democracy would increase the number of participation of local people in choosing the right leaders. Due to the democracy practices, peoples are more become aware about their responsibilities and their power to choose the leader who can lead the community and bring hopes and changes to the future of their areas. Mass Media Influence the people’s awareness to select their leaders
The impacts of mass media bring the greater attention and awareness of the public towards political concern. According to Johnson L (1969), stated that the relationship between political and mass media is inseparable as media gives impact to the American politics. He added that media had the power to create leaders by painting a good image of a person such as Ted Kennedy. According to Zaller (1999), political leaders communicate with the public primarily through news media that they do not control. The news media now stand between politicians and their constituents. Politicians speak to the media; the media then speak to the voters. During election campaigns, the media become a vital component for both the politicians (the candidates) and the public. The media act as the connector between the public and the politicians. According to Zaller (1999), politicians rely on the media to get their messages and attention across to the public. The public on the other hand rely on the media for information on candidates, their policies and also their personalities. This
References: 1) Salman A, Ibrahim F, Mohd Yusof & Mahbob M. ( 2011). The Impact of New Media on Traditional Mainstream Mass .Media The Innovation Journal: The Public Sector Innovation Journal, Vol. 16(3), 2011, article 7. Retrieved on 25th May, 2013 at http://www.innovation.cc/s cholarlystyle/ali samman_new+media_impac116v3i7a.pdf 2)Oakeshott, M. (n.d ). Political Maturity. Retrieved on 25th May, 2013 at http://www.michael-oakeshott-association.com/pdfs/mo_political_maturity.pdf. 3) Katz E, (n.d). The Two-Step Flow of Communication: An Up-To-Date Report on an Hypothesis. Annenberg School for Communication Departmental Papers (ASC), University of Pennsylvania. Retrieved on 25th may, 2013 at http://repository.upenn.edu/ cgi/view content.cgi?article=1279&context=asc_papers.