A cross-cultural study probes the political influence of the mass media in the various subcultures in South Africa. The data are derived from a sample of 1200 students in white, black, coloured and Indian high schools. The subjects were all in their last year of high school. The findings reveal, inter alia, different media exposure between the racial, cultural and linguistic groups examined and a clear polarisation of political attitudes. Dramatic differences are evident between the Indian students and the others and, not unexpectedly, between the whites and blacks. Some reasons for the differences are discussed in the conclusion.
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