Advantages Public Opinion/Media on Law Reform Model Answer

avatar
Created by
Summer Hutchinson

Cards (4)

  • The Public and the Media in the UK can play a large part in influencing the way the Law is reformed. There are therefore many advantages to public opinion/the media contributing to law reform.
  • Led to Successful Changes in the Law
    Some media campaigns can be very successful and have led to some major changes in the law which have had a lasting impact. After the mass shootings in Hungerford (1988) and Dunblane (1996) there was a major media campaign to introduce tough gun regulations in the UK. The Sun ran a campaign to restrict the sale of handguns and introduce tougher rules on gun ownership. It was massively successful and led to the Firearms (Amendment) Act 1997 and Firearms (Amendment) (No.2) Act 1997 which banned the ownership of nearly all handguns.
  • Another advantage can be seen in the it can allow for the development of the Law in line with Modern Technology.
    With the wide availability of Social Media and Online Journalism, there is now instant Public Reaction to Laws and new issues. This allows the Government to react quickly to changes. (e.g. Online Opposition to legalising Fox Hunting in
    2017) and get a quick understanding of the will of the people.
  • Accessibility of the Media
    They can inform the public about laws that the government has made/ changed or plans to change so this keeps the public informed. They can ensure the publics views are listened, to by the government as the media has a much bigger voice and can therefore voice public opinion to government as well. They ensure that issues in society are kept at the forefront of the governments mind. They can support campaigns etc such as Sarah's Law and pressure groups such as Fathers for Justice. These groups wouldn't have a voice without media coverage. This coverage can lead them to get more support, followers and perhaps be listened to by parliament. They are often listened to as the government recognises that the media is the voice of the public and they want the media to portray MPs in a good light so that the public will support them (especially before election time).