What the AP Test Wants you to Know About the Media Linkage Institutions #7

Old Media vs. New Media Old Media (Newspapers and Magazines) Weaker overall in regards to politics. Less readers/circulation New Media (TV and Internet) Stronger overall in politics More viewers/online presence New Media’s Challenge to Old Media More people view Television than read the Newspaper More people read blog postings than magazine articles Bloggers often serve as fact checkers to old media sources Internet is the primary source of news for people between ages 18-29

History of Media The Party Press Parties created, subsidized, and controlled various newspapers Circulation small Expensive subscriptions Circulated among party elite Government subsidized president’s party press

History of Media Popular Press Changes in society and technology made possible self-supporting, mass readership daily newspapers. High speed press Telegraph gave local papers greater access Associated Press (1848) Urbanization Sensationalism to grab more readers

History of Media Magazines of Opinion Middle class favored new, progressive periodicals Individual writers gained national following Number of competing newspapers declines, reducing sensationalism Readers more sophisticated Today political magazines are a small fraction of declining number of magazines.

History of Media

The Internet Over 50% of American households have access to the Internet. Free market in political news Playing a larger role in politics Increasing communication between voters and political activists

Degree of Competition Newspapers Number of daily newspaper declined % of cities had competing newspapers Today- 4% of cities Radio and Television Intensely competitive Internet and Satellite Radio Cable and Dish

National Media Wire Services National Magazines Television Network News Broadcasts Cable News Networks National Newspapers

National Media Significance – Large Readership – Political Elites follow them closely – Dictate local news coverage Roles – Gatekeeper (Agenda Setting): Influences which subjects become national stories and for how long – Scorekeeper (Horse-race journalism): Tracks political reputations and candidacies – Watchdog: Investigate personalities and expose scandals

Media Rules Print Protections – Newspapers free from regulation – No prior restraint – Any actions must be after a story is run

Media Rules Electronic Media – FCC Licensing Deregulated Increasing corporate ownership (Impact?) – Fairness Doctrine Abolished – Equal Time Rule: Stations that sell advertising to one candidate must sell equal time to opponent

How Media Impacts Politics Prominence of the President – Despite three “equal” branches, President gets most coverage – Public perception of the power of the President influenced Congress – Resentful of lack of coverage (nobody watches CSPAN) – Senate gets more coverage (“Presidential Candidate Incubator”)

How Media Impacts Politics News Leaks – Separation of powers leads to competition among branches, press used as a weapon Not illegal to print most secrets – Adversarial Press – Trial Balloon