News Media

Key Definitions A medium is a means of communication. Media is the plural of medium. The mass media are means of communication, such as newspapers, radio, television, and the Internet, that can reach large, widely dispersed audiences.

Key Functions of Mass Media Entertainment -the mass media emphasize entertainment. -Popular programs are continued, while programs that receive low ratings are cancelled.

Key Functions of Mass Media 2. News reports -American newspapers have reported political news since the late 18th century. For example, newspapers printed the Federalist Papers as part of their coverage of the debate over the ratification of the Constitution. -Radio and television stations provide their audiences with varying degrees of news programming.

Key Functions of Mass Media 3. Creation of political forums -Politicians use the mass media to promote their careers and draw public attention to their issues. -The president has direct access to the media and is thus able to use it to help set the policy agenda.

The Mass Media Connecting to the Public The mass media connect people to their govt officials by interviewing citizens, presenting, poll results, and covering protests. The mass media connect govt officials to the public by interviewing political leaders and reporting on government committees and programs.

Types of Mass Media- Print Media Newspapers -The New York Times, Washington Post, and Wall Street Journal are America’s most influential newspapers. -Most newspapers rely on the Associated Press news agency for national and international stories. -Newspaper circulation rates have steadily declined as a result of competition from television and the Internet. In 1960-50% of adults regularly purchased a newspaper. Today it’s 20%.

Types of Mass Media- Print Media 2. Magazines -Time and Newsweek are America’s most widely read and influential news magazines. -Magazine circulation rates have fallen sharply as a result of competition from the Internet.

Types of Mass Media- Broadcast Media 1. Radio -FDR was the 1st president to take advantage of radio. During the Great Depression, FDR used what he called “fireside chats” to reassure the American people and discuss his New Deal programs. -Most radio stations now devote little time to reporting political news. -Within recent years, nationally syndicated talk show hosts have begun to play a prominent and controversial role in discussing political issues.

Types of Mass Media- Broadcast Media 2. Television -The 1960 presidential debates between Senator JFK and Vice Pres Richard Nixon marked a watershed event when television replaced newspapers and radio as America’s principal source of political news. -Over 98% of American households own at least 1 television.

Types of Mass Media- Broadcast Media 2. Television -The 3 major networks-NBC, CBS, and ABC-have historically dominated political coverage with their nightly news programs and news specials. However, the networks are experiencing a steady decline of viewership as people turn to cable stations and the radio. -Cable networks such as CNN, FOX News, and MSNBC now provide continuous coverage of national and international news.

Types of Mass Media- Broadcast Media 3. The Internet -Although television continues to be the most widely used source for political news, the Internet is rapidly becoming a key source of information for the American people. -Many websites such a Politico.com and the Huffington Post provide extensive coverage of political issues and policymakers. -Web blog now facilitate rapid communication between the public and government policymakers.

The Media and Politics 1. Agenda Setting -The policy agenda consists of issues that attract the serious attention of public officials. -The mass media play an important role in drawing public attention to particular issues.

2. Candidate-Centered Political Campaigns The Media and Politics 2. Candidate-Centered Political Campaigns -Political campaigns have become more centered on candidates and less focused on the issues. -The mass media contribute to the candidate-centered campaigns in the following ways: By replacing speeches and dialogues with sound bites that average just 7.8 seconds in length. By focusing on day-to-day campaign activities such as rallies, gaffes, scandals, and negative commercials. By engaging in “horse-race journalism”, which emphasizes how candidates stand in the polls instead of where they stand on the issues