THE POLITICS OF THE MEDIA

Mass Media  How important are the media in American politics?

Mass Media  Media and Democracy  Marketplace of ideas  Increase in political power with the decline of parties  Influential The average high school senior has spent more time watching TV than attending school TV is the primary source of news in the U.S.  Concerns over objectivity

The Growth of Mass Media  How have the media changed and developed?

The Growth of Mass Media  Print Media  Newspapers The Federalist Papers Political leaders promoted newspapers Postage reduction Party presses Penny press – more diverse in scope, used reporters, less partisan Yellow Journalism

The Growth of Mass Media  Electronic Media  Radio Radio Act of 1927 regulated the industry  Television Network, cable, satellite  Internet <3 Technology gap (aka – digital divide) Concerns over RELIABLE information (no take-backs)

Functions of the Media  What functions do the media perform in our society?

Functions of Media  Entertainment  SNL SNL  Social Effects  “The eyes and ears of the world” Surveillance Investigative Reporting Muckraking Interpretation Putting events into context and explaining complexities Socialization

Political use of the Media  How influential are the media in interpreting and framing news stories?

Political Use of the Media  How politicians make news  Earned media coverage  Pseudo-events  How journalists report the news  Agenda setting Determining what issues will be covered Gatekeepers  Covering the President Press releases – prepared texts News briefings – questions allowed News conferences – direct access to the president

Political Use of the Media  How journalists report the news Covering Congress Give less attention to Congress than the President Kind of complicated and can be dull Covering the Courts Gets the least amount of coverage Judges rarely grant interviews (don’t want their impartiality questioned) Supreme Court nominations are the exception – lots of media attention

The Media and the Public in Politics  How do the media shape and reflect our cultural values and struggles?

The Media and the Public in Politics  Media in Campaigns  Negative coverage  Paid advertising Sound bites  Debates  Global Issues  Narrowcasting  Targeting specific audiences  Concentration of Ownership

Governmental Regulations  How can we negotiate the delicate balance between the need for governmental regulation and the desire for a vigorous and free press?

Governmental Regulations  The Right to Privacy  Crime victims  Rules regarding content and ownership  Libel Must demonstrate “malice”  Prior censorship  Equal time rule Same time, same price  Fairness doctrine ( ) Broader than the equal time rule

Governmental Regulations  The Role of Profits  Social Responsibility Theory vs. Libertarian View Does the media have a responsibility or obligation to promote socially desirable behavior?  Ratings News must generate profits