AP Government - Mr. Hatch Chapter 12 THE MEDIA AP Government - Mr. Hatch Chapter 12

WHO ARE THE MASS MEDIA? MAJOR MEDIA: Newspapers: NY Times, Washington Post, Wall Street Journal Television: CBS, ABC, NBC - decline of big three with rise of cable Magazines: Time, Newsweek, US News and World Report Trend towards mergers and consolidation = less competition

WHO ARE THE MASS MEDIA? NEW MEDIA Internet; CNN; FOX NEWS; MSNBC; MTV; Talk Radio Characteristics: Interactive Focus on Entertainment - “infotainment” Personalized Emotional Informal Opinionated Topical

Journalism In History Party controlled press - lack of sources that presented both sides Popular Press - New technology made mass publication possible; journalists could not afford to be strictly partisan - need to attract as many readers as possible; growth in sensationalism Magazines of Opinion Electronic Journalism - no more editorial filters Good relations ended with Vietnam and Watergate, media is MUCH more critical and distrustful today The Internet - don’t believe everything you see!

The Power of Words Yellow Journalism – William Randolph Hearst turn of the century, so powerful it influenced politics Sent a message to an artist friend “You provide the pictures, I’ll provide the war” USS Maine exploded triggered Spanish-American War Investigative journalism - watergate

Media in the Court New York Times vs. United States (1971) NY times wanted to publish classified government “Pentagon Papers” Government sought to censor them Supreme Court ruled the 1st amendment protected the NY Times and allowed publication

EFFECTS OF MEDIA on POLITICS National Media Roles Gatekeeper (what becomes news - set the national agenda) Scorekeeper (decides the winners and losers - emphasis on horse race element of elections) Watchdog (scrutinize the winners)

Nature of Media Influence Most influential at agenda setting Provide forum for building up candidate images Politicians can get public attention (McCarthy) Links the government to the people (replaced parties) People - Media - Government Media consultants shape campaigns

Agenda Setting Policy Agenda – issues, problem or subjects the media covers that get the attention of officials Ex. Amber Alerts, Seat Belts Media uses it to raise awareness/get attention of public, and lawmakers

Nature of Media Influence White House manipulates the media: (very well) Photo ops Sound Bites Spin Control Staged Events President uses one voice and is our leader, and is more powerful than any single congressperson Negative Coverage of Congress (obstructionist) Has many members, represent small districts Little coverage of Supreme court Influence primary elections and undecided voters

RULES GOVERNING MEDIA Radio and TV require licenses TV renew = 5 years radio = 7 years Print media must avoid libelous, obscene or incitement material: These are difficult to prosecute Case by case examination on the right to keep sources confidential (Robert Novak’s revelation of CIA operative identity) Broadcasts - regulated by government

RULES GOVERNING MEDIA Equal Time rule for campaigns Right-of-Reply Editorializing on broadcasts - opposing candidate may reply Fairness Doctrine no longer enforced, but still practiced.

THE MEDIA AND PUBLIC OPINION Does the Media influence Public Opinion? Mixed evidence implies both…

THE MEDIA AND PUBLIC OPINION YES, the media influences opinion: Personalizes candidates Stresses short term elements of election Consumers of media influence others Sets national agenda Advocacy or adversarial journalism: “Comfort the afflicted and afflict the comfortable” Journalists are more liberal than the public Primary link between public and government Trivialize the news: People today are less informed

THE MEDIA AND PUBLIC OPINION NO, the media does not influence opinion: Mass public pays little attention and forgets what it sees and reads Selective attention: many see what they want to see and focus on sources they already agree with Selective perception: perceive the news in the way they want to view it Media are only one source: Political Socialization suggests importance of family, school, and peers People consume media for reasons other than information Young people watch less TV than older people, must target young people in a different way, than older people. TV media is not as good at getting out president’s agenda

Impact of Newspapers Typical perception of liberal bias (but newspapers generally endorse Republican candidates) Both liberals and conservatives complain: Conservatives complain reporters are too liberal and hostile towards mid. Class values Liberals complain publishers are too conservative Lack competition Devote prez campaign coverage to day-to-day campaigning

Impact of TV Most get their news from TV = decline of substance in coverage and rise of images and slogans Fear that TV is too closely allied w/ Big Gov.: Prez. Can bypass journalists and speak directly to the people Decline in press conferences White House manipulate press

Impact of TV Revolving door in journalism (govt. leaders become media figures - George Stephanopolous and Newt Gingrich) Fear TV has increased cynicism and mistrust of govt. Lack of competition (although cable helps) Further decline of party