Do Now… Interest groups engage in all of the following activities EXCEPT (A) testifying before congressional committees (B) sponsoring issue advocacy ads (C) lobbying federal agencies (D) filing federal lawsuits (E) using the franking privilege 1

2 Reference: All photos are copied from Google Images

Focus Questions 3 Who Governs? 1. How much power does the media have? 2.Can we trust the media to be fair? To What Ends? 1. What public policies will the media support?

Learning Objectives Describe the evolution of journalism in American political history and indicates the differences between the party press and the mass media of today. Demonstrate how the characteristics of the electronic media have affected the actions of public officials and candidates for national office. Describe the impact of the pattern of ownership and control of the media on the dissemination of news and show how wire services and TV networks have affected national news coverage. Discuss the impact of the "national press.” Describe the rules that govern the media and contrast the regulation of electronic and print media. Indicate the impact of libel laws on freedom of the press and of government rules on broadcasters. Assess the impact of the media on politics and indicate why it is so difficult to find evidence that can be used to make a meaningful and accurate assessment. Explain why the executive branch probably benefits at the expense of Congress. 4

Media Old Media: Newspapers and magazines New Media: Television and the Internet Interesting Fact: More people watch American Idol than read the newspaper editorials, and even more people get their opinions from Blogs. 5

Journalism in American Political History - The Party Press: in the early years of our Republic, politicians of various factions and parties created, sponsored, and controlled newspapers to further their interest. (Example: The Federalists created The Gazette of the United States (Hamilton) and The Republicans created the National Gazette (Jefferson). - The Popular Press: changes in society and technology made possible the rise of self-supporting, mass-readership daily newspapers. (The Telegraph in the 1840s, Associated Press in 1848, Large independent newspapers with mass readership started by men like William Randolph Hurst). - Magazines of Opinions: the rise of magazines: The Atlantic Monthly, Harper’s, and Cosmopolitan. Today most magazines focus on entertainment and leisure activities. - Electronic Journalism: radio, television, Internet provide news and information “on demand” 24-hours a day. 6

The Structure of the Media The relationship between journalism and politics is a 2-way street 1. politicians use the media to communicate to the people 2. the media uses politicians in a way for entertaining and informing audiences. Degree of Competition 1. Newspapers -- a large decline in the numbers of daily newspapers 2. Radio and Television – most people get their news here National Media -Wire Service (AP, UPI) -National Magazines -National Newspapers (USA Today) -24-Hours News Station (FOX, CNN) 7

Rules Governing the Media 1. Newspapers almost entirely free from government regulation 2. Radio and television licensed, regulated 3. Reporters want right to keep sources confidential 4. Regulation of broadcasting - FCC Licensing 5. Campaigning-Equal Time Rule Applies 8

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Are the News Medias Biased? 1. What are the views of members of the national media? The great majority are liberal 2. Do the beliefs of the national media affect how they report the news? Hard to answer, but three types of stories: routine stories, featured stories, insider stories. Public distrust of the media has grown. 3. Does what the media write or say influence how their readers and viewers think? Hardiest question to answer. Some people will be influenced, but others will not. Selective Attention: people remember or believe only what they want to. If they see or hear statements that are inconsistent with the existing beliefs, they will tune out these messages. 12

The Effects of the Media on Politics Studies on media impact on elections:  Generally inconclusive  Products can be sold more easily than candidates  Newspaper endorsements of presidential candidates How politics is conducted, candidates perceived, policy formulated:  Conventions scheduled to accommodate television  Candidates win party nomination via media exposure  Issues established by media attention  Issues that are important to citizens similar to those in media  Newspaper readers see bigger contrasts between candidate than do TV viewers  TV news affects popularity of presidents; commentaries have short-run impact 13

Government Constraints on Journalists  Reporters must strike a balance between expression of views and retaining sources  An abundance of congressional staffers makes it easier to gain information  Governmental tools to fight back: The White House and Congress both have press officers on the payroll. 14

Government and the News - Prominence of the President – no other country in the world has its press so close to its government, example White House Press Office. - Coverage of Congress – not as much as the President. CSPAN. 15

Interpreting Political News - Are news stories slanted? Depends on the news channel. - Why are there so many news story leaks? United States Government is the leakiest in the world! Adversarial Press: the tendency of the national media to be suspicious of officials and eager to reveal unflattering stories about them. 16