The Press: A Check on Presidential Power?

How has the press changed since the golden age of TV? And how do those changes affect the way the press relates to the president?

Changes in the media in the last 20 years News media decentralized and competitive News media decentralized and competitive Reporting styles have changed –softer and more negative Reporting styles have changed –softer and more negative Public’s consumption of news declined Public’s consumption of news declined Public regard toward the news media plummeted Public regard toward the news media plummeted Internet: no regard for standards for sources Internet: no regard for standards for sources

Implications? Limits his ability to lead the public Limits his ability to lead the public Decline in moderation Decline in moderation Governing becomes marketing? Governing becomes marketing?

What can the president do to try to control the press? Control access to president Control access to president Control timing of announcements Control timing of announcements Control length and number of messages Control length and number of messages Control visuals Control visuals

3 Of the 17 highest paid WH employees… 3 Of the 17 highest paid WH employees… $165,200, Assistant to the President for Speechwriting $165,200, Assistant to the President for Speechwriting $165,200, Assistant to the President and Press Secretary $165,200, Assistant to the President and Press Secretary $165,200, Assistant to the President for Communications $165,200, Assistant to the President for Communications

How can the press affect the president’s job performance? By providing counterbalancing quotes, interviews, and visuals By providing counterbalancing quotes, interviews, and visuals By telling the story their own way By telling the story their own way By investigating the president and his allies By investigating the president and his allies Emphasizing conflict, potential for failure Emphasizing conflict, potential for failure By affecting public opinion By affecting public opinion

Who has the “upper hand”? Are the media too hard on presidents?

How does the press affect public opinion? Priming Priming Receive-accept-sample model Receive-accept-sample model

Clinton approval ratings during Lewinsky scandal

To what degree can the public be an effective check against presidential power?