Media

Media Functions 90% of Americans receive information from TV Entertainment-some TV has made political issues-AIDS, incest, spousal abuse

Media Functions Reporting the News- most important function of all mass media

Media Functions Identifying public problems-determines what the government ought to do Public agenda-issues that are perceived by member of the political community as meriting public attention and government action

Media Functions Socializing new generations-instruct people on the historical values of the society Providing a political forum-use the media to sustain interest in campaigns Make money

History of the media Media was difficult at 1 st because of the lack of technology 3000 newspapers in 1860-concentrated on crimes and scandals

Mass Readership Inventions led to mass readership High speed rotary press telegraph

Popular press/Yellow Journalism At the turn of the century publishers allowed editors to engage in yellow journalism- sensational, irresponsible journalism A person personal activities became front page news Still around today The Star National Enquirer

The Age of the Electromagnetic signal Nov. 2, 1920-KDKA Pittsburgh had the 1 st radio program that featured political returns By 1924 there were 1,400 radio stations NBC radio started on Nov. 15, network broadcasting became a reality

Revolution of the Electronic Media The advent of pay TV/Cable TV/Subscription TV/ Satellite TV and the internet have completely changed the electronic landscape Narrowcasting- broadcasting targeted to 1 small sector of the population

Electronic Media Between network TV viewership dropped from 72% to 53% Internet grew from 0% to 40% during the same period

Talk Show politics In 1997 there were 24 national TV talk shows Talk radio programs

TV TV is the most influential medium minutes dedicated to news hours dedicated to news CNN became the 1 st all news 24 hr TV network

TV TV is attractive because it relies on pictures rather than words TV is satisfied with the sound bite- several second comment selected or crafted for its immediate impact on the viewer

Media and Political Campaigns All forms of the media have an impact on American society

3 types of TV coverage in campaigns Advertising Management of the news coverage Spin-an interpretation of campaign events or election results that is most favorable to the candidates campaign strategy Spin doctor-political advisor who tries to convince journalists of the truth of particular interpretations of events

3 types Debates

Media and the Government Because the president is so important there is a White House Press Corp-group of reporters that follow the every move of the president

Press Secretary Press secretary- person responsible for representing the White House before the media

Press and public agenda The media plays an important role in setting public agenda The media help determine to a significant extent the policy issues that need attention

FCC FCC-regulates communication by radio, television, wire and cable The # of radio stations has been controlled for many years

Media controlling themselves The National Association of Broadcasters put together a code of ethics and conduct Calling an election

Citizens and media Citizens have the right to media access

Bias The media is to report the news/events and keep bias out of the broadcast