Understanding Media's Role in the Perpetuation of Gangster Wars in Punjab

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Nov 24, 2024

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1 Understanding Media's Role in the Perpetuation of Gangster Wars in Punjab Student’s Name Institution Affiliation Professor’s Name Course Date

2 The contemporary media case we have chosen to explore is the ongoing Gangster Wars in Punjab, this case involves several violent altercations and power battles between different Indian gangs that operate in the Punjab region. These episodes are a fascinating topic for investigation because traditional and digital media have widely covered them (Hirst et al., 2007). The application of mass society theories and propaganda theories is called into question by the mass media's role in influencing social dynamics and public perception in this setting. propaganda theories and mass society theories are important in the field of media studies because they highlight how the media can sway public opinion (Mass Society and Powerful Effects Theory). According to these views, the media, especially in modern communication, can sway public opinion, disseminate misinformation, and persuade people to take particular actions, in order to comprehend how the media has aided in the continuation of these conflicts, we propose to apply these theories to the Gangster Wars in the Punjab scenario. Literature Review Mass Society Theories and Propaganda Theories are fundamental frameworks within communication studies that provide significant insights into the potential influence of media on society. According to mass society theories, which have been developed by academics like Harold Lasswell and Paul Lazarsfeld, the media can have a significant influence on the attitudes, values, and beliefs of a society. In particular, Lasswell's work emphasizes how important media is in fostering a common normative language and a shared awareness among the general public (Mass Society and Propaganda Theory). According to this hypothesis, the media can influence public opinion and behavior by disseminating ideas and information widely, thus aiding in the homogeneity of society. Regarding the "Gangster Wars in Punjab," these theories prompt a study

3 of how societal perceptions of the continuing conflicts and their participants may be shaped by media portrayals. On the other hand, Edward Bernays-influenced propaganda theories emphasize the purposeful manipulation of public opinion and behavior through the media. Bernays, sometimes called the "father of public relations, studied how to use the media to sway public opinion gently. Edward S. Herman and Noam Chomsky's The Propaganda Model highlights how corporate interests and media control shape the stories and content delivered to the public (Modern Propaganda). Regarding the Gangster Wars in Punjab, propaganda theories advise us to carefully consider whether the media purposefully distorts the conflict or if specific interest groups or media outlets are using it to further their objectives. Media Case Analysis Our analysis of the Gangster Wars in Punjab will delve into the multifaceted portrayal of this ongoing conflict by various mass media outlets, including television, print, and digital platforms. We aim to discover how the media has shaped the stories surrounding these gang battles, highlighting specific elements of the struggle and assisting in the exaltation or demonizing of specific gang leaders. Important to our inquiry is how the media shapes public attitudes, beliefs, and conducts about these gang battles. Prevalent themes, storylines, and tonalities in media coverage will be identified through discourse and content analysis (Hirst et al., 2007). Understanding if the media's portrayal tends toward sensationalism, criminalization, or hero worship will be helpful because these various interpretations can have a big impact on how the general public views and responds to gang battles. We will also closely examine how the media has framed the dispute about the broader social debate. The way the media portrays the public has the potential to both actively shape and mirror popular opinion. It may have an

4 impact on how people view the origins and effects of gang warfare, as well as how they feel about the larger sociopolitical setting, gang leaders, and police enforcement. We aim to uncover the underlying mechanisms at work and provide a thorough knowledge of how the media contributes to the continuation of these gang battles by examining media content through the lenses of mass society theories and propaganda theories (Mass Society and Powerful Effects Theory). This investigation will add to the continuing conversation about how the media shapes public perception and behavior regarding modern societal challenges. Proposed Experiment We suggest a carefully planned experiment to experimentally investigate the predictions of Mass Society Theories and Propaganda Theories in the context of the Gangster Wars in Punjab. This study attempts to look into how public views and perceptions of the current conflict are shaped by media framing. Techniques First and foremost, a varied sample of people from the Punjab region will be chosen in order to guarantee the validity of our results. We plan to purposefully alter the sample's age, gender, and socioeconomic status. This variance will enable us to consider possible reaction variations depending on demographic characteristics since various population groups might be exposed to media content in various ways. Aside from this, the participants will be presented with a carefully chosen assortment of media clips and articles that provide a range of viewpoints and framing strategies related to the Gangster Wars in Punjab. A variety of perspectives, including objective, sensationalist, criminalizing, and glorifying portrayals, will be reflected in the selection of these media materials (Zhu et al., 2023). We want to mimic the complex nature of information consumption that people experience in real life by offering various media content.

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