Politics and mass media Chapter 8

Mass Media Those sources of information and means of communication – such as radio, television, magazines, and the internet – that reach large numbers of the public.

Example: Nixon/Kennedy Debate 1960 Presidential election Mass media has had a huge impact on our lives and the way that we interpret the world around us. Example: Nixon/Kennedy Debate 1960 Presidential election Show Clip from – Stay Tuned Television’s Unforgettable Moments 4:42 min

Government Protection of Mass Media Protection of Print Media Prior Restraint – the governmental censorship of information before it is published or broadcast. Shield law – a law that protects journalists from being compelled to reveal confidential sources of information against their will. These protections are found in the 1st amendment

Libel – written statement that defame a person’s character, damage his or her reputation, or expose him or her to public ridicule. 1st Amendment – the press has often argued that the people have the right to know. The government & the press have fought over this for years. Branzburg v. Hayes (1972)

Government Protection of Mass Media Freedom in Broadcast Media The FCC The Federal Communications Commission Responsible for radio & TV Equal time doctrine The FCC requirement that equal radio or television airtime must be made available to opposing candidates running for public office. Broadcast media is more closely regulated by the government FCC – Requires broadcast media to have a license. Controls swearing on the broadcast media, require stations to devote a certain percentage of broadcast time to public service information, news, & political candidates. Limits ownership of multiple & radio stations in the same area, so that the public receives multiple view points. Equal Time Doctrine – has existed since 1934. The candidate in question doesn’t have to take the time but it must be offered to them. In 1983 the FCC relaxed this rule, allowing stations to invite candidates, of their choice, to the debates. Since we live in a two party system, and third parties are rare, when they do emerge they attract more media attention than the other main political parties. Example: John Anderson in 1980, Ross Perot in 1992/1996, & Ron Paul 2008

Forming & measuring public opinion

Public Opinion The attitude expressed by citizens of a country about government and politics. There are several factors that ultimately influence a persons political attitude. A person’s political attitude can be influenced by six key factors.

Family Gender Religion Education Race & Ethnicity Region Family - Families are the first to influence an individual political opinion. Individuals are likely to agree with their parents on specific issues. Equal rights for minorities, military spending, or school prayer Gender - There are significant differences between men and women and their political views. Gender sensitive issues War, gun control, pornography, and alcohol (c. 1900’s). 1950’s  Women tended to be Republican 1960’s  Women started to move Democrat Present day women, more than men tend to be Democrats. Religion - Religious beliefs and practices influence political attitudes in two areas Economic issues E.g. taxes, welfare programs, & national spending Social issues E.g. equal rights, abortion, & school prayer Catholic families are somewhat more liberal on economic issues than protestant families Jewish families tend to be much more liberal on both economic and social issues. Education - Schools acquaint young people with the political system (like this class). College educated individuals tend to be more liberal in their political views College students tend to be more liberal than the rest of the general population Region – North, South, Midwest, etc.

Measuring public opinion

Informal Polling Straw Poll – an unofficial vote or poll indicating the trend of opinion about a candidate or issue. Sample – in polling, a small number of people drawn from & analyzed as representative of the total population to be surveyed. Informal, not scientific polls have long been used to gauge public opinions. Collected by phone class, word of mouth, or mail. Straw Polls  aren’t always reliable, it depends on the amount & quality of the sample. A good sample is a cross section of the total population, without this the poll is unreliable/incorrect

Scientific Polling Based on several basic rules Proper sample (based on random choice of the population) Fair & clear questions Sample size High margin of error

Political ideologies

Ideologies A body of ideas or views of the world that reflect the social needs, values, and ideas of an individual or group. In the US political ideologies typically fall into three different categories liberal, conservative, and moderate.

Liberal A person expressing political views or policies that favor the use of governmental power to promote individual liberties & social programs.

Conservative A person expressing political views that generally favor traditional values, that status quo, and the idea that government should stay out of the idea that government should stay out of the affairs of private citizens.

Moderate A person opposed to extreme views; one whose political attitudes are between those of a conservative and a liberal.

Radical A person with extremely liberal political views who favors rapid & widespread change to the current political & social order. Reactionary A person with extremely conservative political views who favors the widespread changes necessary to return to an earlier government or society.

Political Spectrum Center Right Left Communist Socialist Liberal Moderate Conservative Reactionary Fascist

Political Parties

Political Parties A group of people organized to influence government through winning elections and setting public policy. Example: Republican & Democratic Parties

One Party System A political system in which one party exists or routinely controls the government. Party leaders make policy Most one party systems do have elections, but choices are limited.

Two Party System A political system in which only two major parties compete for control of the government

Multiparty System A political system in which many parties exist & compete for control of the government.

Winner-take-all An electoral system in which the person with the most votes wins No majority is needed. http://www.uselectionatlas.org/ Example: David Lieps Atlas of U.S. Presidential Elections  http://www.uselectionatlas.org/

Role of Political Parties Recruiting & Labeling Acting as Watchdogs Getting Out Information Running the Government

Major American Political Parties 1828 National Republican Party 1860 Constitutional Union Party 1787 Federalist Party 1836 Whig Party 1854 Republican Party 1790 1810 1830 1850 1860 1787 Anti-Federalist Party 1792 Democratic Republican Party 1828 Democratic Party

1912 Bull Moose Progressive Party 1890 1930 1950 1960 1910 1948 State’s Rights Party 1968 American Independent Party 2000 Green Party 1980 2000 2020 1996 Reform Party The Tea Party ???

Minor Parties in the US Election Year Party Percent of Vote Electoral Votes 1832 Anti-Masonic 7.8 7 1860 Secessionist Democrats 18.1 72 1892 Populists 8.5 22 1912 Progressive (Bull Moose) 27.4 88 1948 State’s Rights (Dixiecrats) 2.4 39 1968 American Independent 13.5 46 1996 Reform 8.4 -- Example: David Lieps Atlas of U.S. Presidential Elections  http://www.uselectionatlas.org/

Influence of Minor Parties Influencing the outcomes of elections Encouraging the major parties to face important issues