THE POLITICS OF THE MEDIA

Mass Media

How important are the media in American politics?

Mass Media

Media and Democracy Marketplace of ideas Increase in political power with the decline

of parties Influential

The average high school senior has spent more time watching TV than attending school

TV is the primary source of news in the U.S. Concerns over objectivity

The Growth of Mass Media

How have the media changed and developed?

The Growth of Mass Media

Print Media Newspapers

The Federalist Papers Political leaders promoted newspapers

Postage reduction Party presses Penny press – more diverse in scope, used

reporters, less partisan Yellow Journalism

The Growth of Mass Media

Electronic Media Radio

Radio Act of 1927 regulated the industry Television

Network, cable, satellite Internet

<3 Technology gap (aka – digital divide)

Concerns over RELIABLE information (no take-backs)

Functions of the Media

What functions do the media perform in our society?

Functions of Media

Entertainment SNL

Social Effects “The eyes and ears of the world”

Surveillance Investigative Reporting Muckraking

Interpretation Putting events into context and explaining

complexities Socialization

Political use of the Media

How influential are the media in interpreting and framing news stories?

Political Use of the Media

How politicians make news Earned media coverage Pseudo-events

How journalists report the news Agenda setting

Determining what issues will be covered Gatekeepers

Covering the President Press releases – prepared texts News briefings – questions allowed News conferences – direct access to the president

Political Use of the Media

How journalists report the news Covering Congress

Give less attention to Congress than the President Kind of complicated and can be dull

Covering the Courts Gets the least amount of coverage Judges rarely grant interviews (don’t want their

impartiality questioned) Supreme Court nominations are the exception –

lots of media attention

The Media and the Public in Politics

How do the media shape and reflect our cultural values and struggles?

The Media and the Public in Politics Media in Campaigns

Negative coverage Paid advertising

Sound bites Debates

Global Issues Narrowcasting

Targeting specific audiences Concentration of Ownership

Governmental Regulations

How can we negotiate the delicate balance between the need for governmental regulation and the desire for a vigorous and free press?

Governmental Regulations

The Right to Privacy Crime victims

Rules regarding content and ownership Libel

Must demonstrate “malice” Prior censorship Equal time rule

Same time, same price Fairness doctrine (1949-1985)

Broader than the equal time rule

Governmental Regulations

The Role of Profits Social Responsibility Theory vs. Libertarian

View Does the media have a responsibility or

obligation to promote socially desirable behavior?

Ratings News must generate profits