Final answer:
Professional groups have a real impact on public policy, which makes the statement true.
Step-by-step explanation:
Interest groups and advocacy organizations have a significant role in shaping public policy. They deploy various strategies such as framing issue debates, presenting public opinion polls, and offering expert testimony to influence the opinions of both decision-makers and the general public. For example, environmental groups like the Environmental Defense Fund and Greenpeace use public opinion data to garner support for government regulations on fossil fuels.
Professional groups and unions, like teachers' unions, often align themselves with political parties that support their goals, further influencing public policy and workplace conditions. These groups lobby on behalf of their members for better work environments, pay increases, and other benefits that align with their shared objectives.
The question of whether there is a true balance of power between political figures and the public, especially regarding the media's influence as a gatekeeper, is complex. The media plays a crucial role in determining which topics become part of the public policy discourse, and thus impacts the balance of power between various stakeholders. Hence, the statement is true.