Role of Media

Define these terms Public opinion– The public sphere is a place where society discusses the issues that affect everyone. Public Agenda – The public agenda is a list of issues that much of society agrees are a priority. Public Policy – Public Policy is the stand a government takes on an issue.

Types of Media Television Newspaper Internet Cell phones Radio The Media The media is the source of our news and information about current events. Types of Media Television Newspaper Internet Cell phones Radio

Gatekeeper Gatekeeper – The media decides which stories and issues do and do not receive attention.

Media as business Business- Media will cover stories that will get them viewers because they are funded by commercial advertising.

Bias Bias – media may report some stories more than others or their stories may be more liberal or conservative

Agenda setter Agenda Setter – Due to the media’s role as a gatekeeper, they influence which issues become part of the public sphere and public agenda.

watchdog Watchdog – The media plays the role of a watchdog alerting the public where there are issues of concern related to the government and others in power. In this role, the media also allows the public to watch and be aware.

Impact The Impact of the Media on Government – 1. The media can bring to light issues within the government to inform the public. 2. The media can also focus on stories, which can impact the issues the government chooses to focus on. 3. They have a large impact on the government due to their watchdog role.

Media’s influence Watchdog: Alerts the people if government is doing something wrong Agenda Setter: Decides what issues government will work to fix Gatekeeper: decides what issues are important

Examples Media as a Watchdog Media as a Business Media as a Gatekeeper Media as biased Media as agenda setter 1. The media begins reporting about a disgusting-looking ingredient found in many common foods. Soon everyone is talking about the ingredient. People begin signing petitions, and soon there is a major movement to convince the government to outlaw the ingredient. Media as agenda setter

Examples Media as a Watchdog Media as a Business Media as a Gatekeeper Media as biased Media as agenda setter 2. Two hundred people rally in the street to protest a city’s decision to cut bus transportation. Instead of covering that event, the evening news runs a story about the mayor’s plan to build a new park. Media as Gatekeeper

Examples Media as a Watchdog Media as a Business Media as a Gatekeeper Media as biased Media as agenda setter 3. A politician accepts expensive gifts from a campaign supporter. Two television networks run hour- long exposés about the politician’s bad behavior. The politician returns the gifts and resigns from office. Media as a watchdog

Examples Media as a Watchdog Media as a Business Media as a Gatekeeper Media as biased Media as agenda setter 4. A newspaper loses several advertising accounts after sales are down. The paper decides to put crime stories on the front page and move stories about government to page 2. Sales go up, and advertisers begin buying more ad space in the newspaper. Media as a business

Examples Media as a Watchdog Media as a Business Media as a Gatekeeper Media as biased Media as agenda setter 5. Two presidential candidates give speeches in a city on the same day. One local newspaper features a photo of the Republican candidate with the front page story. The other local paper runs a photo of the Democratic candidate. Media as biased

A. Jet stream carries China’s pollution to U.S. B. U.S. soldiers rebuild school in war zone C. U.S. sends aid to Pakistan flood victims D. Successful airstrike destroys terrorist hideout E. Navy tests new submarine missile F. Cambodian students visit U.S. sister city

A. Health clinic will close due to budget cuts B. Pilot: Snake popped out of dashboard mid-air C. Community garden builds 30 new plots D. Monkey escapes during gas station stop E. Waitress attacked after wrong order, cops say F. County food banks running dangerously low

Looms

“The media” only refers to television. T/F “The media” only refers to television. (F) In its role as gatekeeper, the media decides which stories to run. (T) A “sound bite” is a story designed to expose wrongdoing. Most news sources are not for profit. Biased means favoring one view over another. About half of all human beings are completely unbiased.

T/F Bias can affect what stories a media outlet decides are important. An issue can’t get on the public agenda if nobody has heard about it. Everyone agrees the media should play the role of agenda-setter. (F) If you watch television news, you will hear about all the issues that exist. In its role as watchdog, the media decides which issues need public action. Thanks to the media’s influence, people don’t need to pay attention to what’s going on.