Political Science

The news informs the people. It helps shape the opinion and feeling of the readers (Willis, 2007, p 56). Recent headlines, no doubt, impacted, in particular, how they feel about the government. Headlines that people read everyday assist them towards any of the two feelings either it makes them trust the government or it makes them doubt the government. This is an important aspect of social life considering the fact that mistrusts a problem for the future of governance (Nye, Zelikow, King, 1997, p. 125). In examining the recent headlines in the news, it is easy to identify five different reasons which act as the main cause why the people do not trust the government.

These reasons are the following first, the failure to protect the peoples interest second, government interests seem to supersede and transcend the interests of the people third, the government displays inability that the people disapprove of fourth, the government has breached public trust and lastly, the government has rendered itself not credible because of actions uncovered that revealed a new aspect to previous issues.

The headlines do not always bring bad news that erodes the trust of the people towards the government. There are also reasons found in the headlines of news that people find sufficient reasons and causes for them to trust the government regardless of what is happening in the present. These reasons include the following first, the government continues to work towards development second, individuals in the government show that there is still hope for the country to have a better tomorrow third, the government is still undertaking its key tasks on governance by protecting and providing for the people fourth, they provide stability and leadership that keeps the world stable and lastly, leaders are seen as people who also makes important personal and professional sacrifices in the name of public service.

Many people talk about how the news makes them feel like they do not want to trust the government anymore, largely because of how the news makes them feel. In part, news agencies are partly to blame. Sometimes, how they present the news is distorted or is in line with how they believe or based on their position on the issue. Knowingly or otherwise, they make people share the sentiments they have, considering the truth regarding the distinction between the opinion of the press and the opinion of the public (Bailey, 1948, p. 305). Regardless of this, it is also an undeniable fact that the government indeed are guilty of doing things which do not suit well with the preferences or liking of the people. This makes people dislike the government (at least regarding the issue at hand), a feeling that progresses often to dislike and distrust. Many headlines and news stories have made the people feel that they lost their trust in the government after reading or watching the news.

For example, the news and the headlines regarding the health care changes in the US made many people believe that it is an act that is tantamount to failure to protect the peoples interest. The government is pushing for something they feel they do not want. In the news regarding the war, the US is actively participating in inside Afghanistan. Now, Iraq makes people think that the US has their own agenda. This news reflects the fact that the government interests seem to supersede and transcend the interests of the people.

Who would have forgotten the 911 terror attack It was a headline all over the world when it happened, and continued to be a headline shortly after the incident. The people are made to feel that the government displays inability that the people disapprove of, especially the inability to protect the citizens of the country from incidences like this.

There are also recent scandals involving government officials, elected and appointed. They symbolize the government. What happens to them is connected with how the government is viewed by the people in return. Because of this, the people distrust the government via its erring officials, feeling that the government has breached public trust. The government was also on the spotlight regarding the expose on many different scams and scandals in recent history which was featured in news. Incidences like this one make people believe that the government has rendered itself not credible because of actions uncovered that revealed a new aspect to previous issues.

However, life is not always about bad news. Every once in a while, the government has proven success in doing good things, that are featured in the news. When people read about it, they feel that they could trust the government, and that they see the government as an entity that is worthy of their trust. There are several reasons leading to that.

There are news that act as example regarding this claim. Everyday, the people who read the news are witness to the continuing efforts of the government towards development. The news about the governments role in supporting sustainable energy and its role in actively working with other governments and non government agencies are proofs that the people can still trust the government. The government continues to work towards development.

In the election of Barack Obama as the new US president and the first African American to hold office as head of state in the White House is a type of news that make people believe in the system. This system inside which the government operates and in turn the government oversees provides the people with hope for a better tomorrow for the country as well as for individuals and their own personal struggles in life. It gives them the hope of the prospect of victory soon. There are news stories in the recent years that make people trust the government. They believe that the government is still undertaking its key tasks on governance by protecting and providing for the people, as reflected in the news stories featuring government actions on social welfare problems including health, education and the rights of the poor and the elderly. The people also trust the government still.  This is because in the news, like how the US is leading the UN and the partnership of US with EU and the European countries on different projects, the people feel that the government still provides stability and leadership that keeps the world stable. Lastly, the news about Senator Kennedys death recently is proof that leaders are seen as people who also make important personal and professional sacrifices in the name of public service. Because of this, the public still trusts the government.