The Last Word: Assignment 6 due tomorrow Consider: What is “the press”?

Unit 3: AP Gov

 Mass media consists of the various means by which information reaches large numbers of people, such as television, radio, movies, newspapers, and the Internet. Sociologists study mass media especially to see how it shapes people's values, beliefs, perceptions, and behavior.  “Not long ago, if you wanted to seize political power in a country, you had merely to control the army and the police. Today it is only in the most backward countries that fascist generals, in carrying out a coup d'etat, still use tanks. If a country has reached a high level of industrialization the whole scene changes. The day after the fall of Khrushchev, the editors of Pravda, Izvestiia, the heads of the radio and television were replaced; the army wasn't called out. Today a country belongs to the person who controls communications.”  Umberto Eco, an Italian semiotician (study of signs and symbols), essayist, philosopher, literary critic, and novelist

 Have very interesting relationship:  Adversarial  Symbiotic Conflict with regard to reporting: Freedom of the press and need to make a profit - With freedom comes responsibility - With freedom from government subsidy comes need to make a profit

 First colonial newspapers printed 1690 Value of free press recognized early  Penny press New York Sun Sensational and scandalous Payoffs common Yellow journalism  Muckraking Exposing misconduct 14.1

 Became the center of home life in early 30’s FDR’s “fireside chats”  Displaced by TV in 1950s AM talk radio No talk radio for liberals, NPR not biased according to studies 14.1

 Gradually replaced print and radio By 2011, most receive news from TV or Internet  Network v. cable news Fox News most popular  C-SPAN 14.1

 The Internet Main news source for 41% Lack of credibility, standards  Blogs Editorial news outlet  Social media Political debate Reach and engage citizens 14.1

 spanclassroom.org/Video/2039/CLIP+Net+Ne utrality+Rules.aspx spanclassroom.org/Video/2039/CLIP+Net+Ne utrality+Rules.aspx  neutrality-ruling-what-it-means-for-you/ neutrality-ruling-what-it-means-for-you/

cyinamerica/dia_10/dia_10_video.html yZ4LKIE

Unit 3: AP Government

 Consist of:  Wire services (AP, UPI)  TV and cable networks  National newspapers (and some “big” local papers)  National magazines  Differences from local media  Reporters better educated, better paid, more liberal

 Gatekeeper  “Not what to think, but what to think about…” …and sometimes what to think…  Scorekeeper  Of the “horse race” that often is politics and campaigning What is the significance of this choice over policy discussion?  Watchdog  To ensure government is performing its duties and doing so legally Why might media have difficulty performing this role to their utmost?

 Targeting specific populations  News audiences divided along partisan lines  Appeals to pre-existing views

 Blending information and entertainment  Political leaders use these shows Reach larger audiences Humanize politician  Audience sophistication matters

 Talking heads fill airtime  Who are these experts? Officials, consultants, former politicians, academics, etc.  Influence on the public Lack of objectivity Weaken democratic deliberation

 Private ownership = independence For-profit business Pressure to consolidate, eliminate competition  Risks of consolidation Limit flow of information Focus on what sells Please advertisers

 Ordinary individuals Collect, report, and analyze Post content not covered Provide on the scene coverage Cheaper than hiring reporters  Problems with amateur reporting Lack of objectivity Quality varies 14.2

The Last Word: Assignment 11 due tomorrow Consider: What does it mean to have a “free press”?

“The media's the most powerful entity on earth. They have the power to make the innocent guilty and to make the guilty innocent, and that's power. Because they control the minds of the masses.” - Malcolm X

 Newspapers mostly free from regulation  “After the fact” is just about the only time they can be sued or prosecuted – no prior restraint Libel and slander are much harder to prove and collect damages for in the US  Confidentiality rules for sources Not total; courts can compel reporters to give up sources, if related to crime  Regulation of radio/TV  FCC licenses required; stations must serve “community needs”  Regulation has been decreasing in recent years Radio has been deregulated the most – Telecommunications Act of 1996 opens up ownership of multiple stations in a single market  Equal Time, Right of Reply Rule and Political Editorializing rules in effect.

 Professional norms and integrity  Code of Ethics Avoiding conflicts of interest Verifying information  Dealing with sources On/off the record On/deep background

 Press release Official written document  Press briefing Press secretary represents official Q&A on specific topic  Press conference General Q&A with official

 Obama – in 5 years, 94 press conferences, or about 20 per year

 The purposeful or accidental disclosure of otherwise secret or nascent information  Why do these occur?  Separation of powers creates competition and desire to lessen image of others  Press and politicians distrust each other – “adversarial” press  “Float” a particular policy or political idea to gauge reaction of public  “Whistleblower”

 Receives most media coverage  One person vs. 535 vs. “secret” Court  Prestigious post for a reporter  White House has stature and historical importance for reporters  Daily Q&A with press secretary  Appears much more than President for press conferences

 Logistical Challenge  535 members – who to focus on?  Focus on party leaders  Maj, min leaders in both houses, committee chairs, etc.  Local news does give coverage to local reps/senators  Coverage is often negative  Scandals and conflict often make headlines  Weiner-gate, Trey Radel, the list goes on…

 Media vacuum  TV cameras not permitted  Few reporters cover Court; Complex legal issues harder to present to public, thus less interesting  Justices rarely grant interviews

Unit 3: AP Government and Politics

 Pew poll

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