Impact of the Media Objective 4.03

Types of Mass Media Print—newspaper, magazines, newsletters, and books Print—newspaper, magazines, newsletters, and books Electronic—radio, TV, Internet Electronic—radio, TV, Internet

Public Agenda Media creates the public agenda— issues that are the most significant Media creates the public agenda— issues that are the most significant Major issues today Major issues today –Abortion, War, Gun Control, Drugs, Gay Rights, Health Care, Immigration, etc.

Facts about Media Influence 98% of homes have televisions 98% of homes have televisions 70% of adults read newspapers 70% of adults read newspapers Media acts as a watchdog—willing to expose corruption Media acts as a watchdog—willing to expose corruption Protected by 1 st Amendment Protected by 1 st Amendment

Polls Surveys taken to measure public opinion Surveys taken to measure public opinion Effect—can influence your opinion because human nature tells you to follow the norm Effect—can influence your opinion because human nature tells you to follow the norm

Pros Pros –Allows politicians to see what is important to voters and better serve their community Cons Cons –Can influence public –Can lead officials to follow public agenda instead of their own opinion –Can be wrong

Questions to consider… Should the media be allowed to deliver any news desired, even if it puts national security at risk? Should the media be allowed to deliver any news desired, even if it puts national security at risk? Do you believe the media has a strong influence over children and teens? Do you believe the media has a strong influence over children and teens? –Violence, drugs, weight, etc.

Limitations Slander—cannot speak lies Slander—cannot speak lies Libel—cannot print lies Libel—cannot print lies Bias—not supposed to show favor for one group or another Bias—not supposed to show favor for one group or another

Promoting Change through Political Action Objective 4.04

#1--Vote Government based on popular sovereignty Government based on popular sovereignty Only way to make a difference in officials is to vote Only way to make a difference in officials is to vote

#2--Volunteering Offering services to others without payment Offering services to others without payment Gives chance to help others and contribute to your community Gives chance to help others and contribute to your community

#3--Protesting Organizing a group in reaction to a situation or event to try to influence others and/or make a difference Organizing a group in reaction to a situation or event to try to influence others and/or make a difference

#4--Petitioning Submit a formal request for change Submit a formal request for change Usually a collection of signatures Usually a collection of signatures

#5--Surveys Gathering of public opinion that results can be used to promote change Gathering of public opinion that results can be used to promote change Usually conducted on random samples of population Usually conducted on random samples of population

#6—Run for Office Obtaining a leadership role on the local, state, or federal level can bring about change throughout the country Obtaining a leadership role on the local, state, or federal level can bring about change throughout the country

People That Demonstrate Activists—those who try to make or stop change through protesting, writing letters, shopping ethically, etc. Activists—those who try to make or stop change through protesting, writing letters, shopping ethically, etc. Lobbyists—representative of an interest group that tries to influence the decisions of lawmakers Lobbyists—representative of an interest group that tries to influence the decisions of lawmakers