Media notes

Origins of Print media

How can the media influence government transparency?• Government transparency- the government's obligation to be open,

accountable, honest, and share information with citizens. It is at the heart of how citizens hold their public officials accountable.

Ways that PROMOTE government transparency• 1st amendment- Protects freedoms. There is little the government can do to

control the media.

• Freedom of Information Act- is a federal freedom of information law that allows for the full or partial disclosure of previously unreleased information and documents controlled by the United States government (1966) • Ex. Hillary Clinton’s emails https://foia.state.gov/Learn/New.aspx

• Open Meetings Act-Every meeting of a government body (Ex. City council) must be open to the public.

Ways to INHIBIT government transparency• Executive privilege- power claimed by the POTUS and other members of the executive branch

to resist certain subpoenas and other interventions by the legislative and judicial branches of government to access information and personnel relating to the executive branch.• Ex. US v. Nixon, Clinton scandal

• Libel- untrue written communication that damages a persons reputation.• New York Times Co. v. Sullivan- the Court held that proof of actual malice is required for an award of

damages in an action for libel involving public figures or matters of public concern.

• Sources cannot be protected-• Ex. New York Times reporter Judith Miller was ordered to jail by U.S. District Judge Thomas F. Hogan for

refusing to reveal her source in connection with a government investigation. Federal prosecutors allege that members of the Bush administration leaked the name of a CIA operative as an act of retribution after the operative's husband wrote an article criticizing the Bush administration.

Media framing

How does the media effect public policy and our policy agenda?• Policy agenda-set of issues or problems that gets the attention and/or

are viewed important by policymakers.

• Media framing• Affect agenda setting by

• Raise awareness, provide information, draw attention, demonstrate the importance or consequences of the problem, or get the public’s attention.

• Get the attention of government/policymakers

General Nguyen Ngoc Loan executing a Viet Cong prisoner in Saigon; Eddie Adams, 1968AP photographer Eddie Adams captured this shot of a South Vietnamese general executing a Viet Cong officer in the Tet Offensive, and it became one of the most iconic shots of the Vietnam War.

The Abu Ghraib scandal; 2004The Abu Ghraib prison in Iraq was the site of multiple counts of prisoner torture and abuse, which became news when this and other photos showing American soldiers mistreating prisoners surfaced. They changed the course of public opinion for many people.

Why does the President have the advantage over Congress in getting media attention?1. The president is one person, while Congress is composed of many members.

1. The president speaks with a single voice, while Congress has many voices. 2. The president represents the nation; members of Congress represent states/districts. 3. The president is the national leader/leader of the country. 4. The president is more powerful than any single member of Congress.

Result: The president can use media to make a direct appeal to the public!Ex. School shooting appeal for gun control.

And, he can use his access in many ways: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RDocnbkHjhI (Obama mean tweets)

Result on campaigns= MORE CANDIDATE CENTERED!!!

How does the media contribute to candidate-centered campaigns?• Coverage of background of candidate • Image-centered coverage/ personality • Talk shows, TV debates • Horserace, reporting polls • Investigative reporting/ scandals • Focus on candidate gaffes (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=

4KqyLi8UFxw)

How has the CANDIDATES’ use of the media has contributed to candidate-centered campaigns?

• Image building : positive ads; hiring consultants; TV debates that • focus on individual appearance/qualities; getting on talk shows • Candidate creating choreographed opportunities • Use of Internet to disseminate information • Sound bites • Negative commercials/mudslinging (

http://www.livingroomcandidate.org/commercials/1992) Gray dot• http://www.livingroomcandidate.org/commercials/1968 Convention

“Great men are not chosen President, firstly, because great men are rare in politics, secondly, because the method of choice does not bring them to the top, and thirdly, because they are not, in quiet times, absolutely needed.”

James Bryce, The American Commonwealth, 1888

Characteristics?Fallon-Oprah for president?• http://www.usatoday.com/videos/opinion/2015/05/11/27112717/

Candidates must know how to face crisis

Lowest in history- What might have caused this?

Highest…and 3rd lowest… Why??