In this opening, the documentary Constructing Public Opinion lets audiences know that it does not intend to attempt objectivity in discussing the influence of media on the democratic process. Arguably, of course, documentary is never free of bias or ideological investment, so this is merely an overt example of this work's ideological positioning being highlighted at the outset of the video. Because this video is about decoding and deciphering the semiotic strategies of media, it seems fitting that the producers would self-consciously make their own political investments known.