Honours Graduate Explores Media Influence on Political Perception

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For Ms Meghna Moodley, graduating summa cum laude with a Bachelor of Arts Honours in Political Science is the continuation of a rigorous and intellectually rewarding academic journey, one defined by curiosity, discipline, and a passion for understanding how people think, decide and engage with politics.

Her research, titled ‘The Role of Media Partisanship in Shaping Public Perception of Political Candidates: A Case Study of the 2020 US Presidential Election’, sits at the intersection of psychology and political science, the two fields in which she has excelled academically. Inspired by her interest in human behaviour and political decision-making, Moodley set out to explore how the media influences the way individuals perceive political leaders in an increasingly polarised world.

“Media partisanship creates a psychological effect where people’s perceptions of political candidates are shaped by the news sources they trust,” Moodley explains. “This becomes particularly relevant in today’s global political climate, where information is constantly filtered through ideological lenses.”

Using a qualitative, interpretivist approach, Moodley examined how partisan media outlets in the United States portrayed presidential candidates during the 2020 election. Drawing on agenda-setting and priming theories, her study revealed how networks such as CNN and MSNBC tended to present Democratic candidate Joe Biden more favourably, while Fox News framed Republican candidate Donald Trump in a more positive light.

“What I found is that audiences are not passive consumers of information,” she says. “They actively seek out media that aligns with their existing beliefs, reinforcing what we call ‘echo chambers’ and motivated reasoning.”

Her research also explored how these dynamics are amplified in a hybrid media environment, where traditional news platforms intersect with social media spaces such as X and Reddit. In these digital environments, users engage with, reinterpret and circulate information in ways that deepen political polarisation.

“This creates a multidirectional flow of information,” Moodley notes. “People are not only consuming content, but they are participating in shaping political narratives, often within spaces that reinforce their own views.”

Moodley’s academic excellence is reflected in an impressive list of achievements, including 16 Certificates of Merit and the prestigious Deputy Vice-Chancellor Scholarship, awarded for placing among the top three students in the College of Humanities. Her academic journey was further enriched by an international exchange at Michigan State University, where she broadened her perspective on political science and psychology in a global context.

“That experience showed me the possibilities within interdisciplinary study, particularly in political psychology,” she says. “It inspired me to pursue further postgraduate studies and contribute to global academic conversations.”

Central to her success was the support of her supervisor, Dr Monique Emser, whose guidance played a pivotal role in shaping her research. “She provided consistent feedback, encouraged me to explore my interests deeply and supported me through the demands of Honours,” Moodley reflects. 

Esmer said she is incredibly proud of Moodley’s achievements. “Graduating summa cum laude is a remarkable milestone and a testament to the dedication and intellectual curiosity she brought to our programme. I have no doubt that she has a brilliant career ahead of her, and I am excited to see the impact she will undoubtedly make in her chosen field - whether it is in diplomacy or academia or both,” she adds.

Beyond her academic pursuits, Moodley describes herself as family-orientated, with a love for animals, travel, and creative expression through cooking and film. 

Looking ahead, she envisions a career that bridges academia and diplomacy, with a focus on public opinion research and global engagement.

“I want to contribute to understanding how people form political judgments, especially in an era shaped by media and misinformation,” she says.

Her message to fellow students is grounded in authenticity and passion: “Pursue what genuinely interests you. When you are passionate about your work, excellence becomes a natural outcome of your commitment.”

Words: Lorna Charles-Wright

Photograph: Sethu Dlamini