2. The Mass Media
Mass media – all the means for communicating any information to the general public.
Role of Media
clarify stories, alert the public to issues, and uncover problems (Government watchdog).
Types of Media
Hard news – written by reporters – share facts
Commentary – analysis of news + opinions
Features – take a deeper look into a topic.
Digital Age
Decline in “journalists” – trained professionals
Internet allows for amateur journalists
The media can make information public without making it official
“Fake News”
Journalists see their job as informing the public, not passing along politicians’ messages.

4. Government and Media Electors vs. Journalists
Officials use the media to pass along information to the voters
Journalists want to inform the public
Executive branch leaders
Use the media to gain support
News releases, news briefings
Stories prepared by officials for the press (Press Release)
Gov’t official makes an announcement – allows for questioning (President Press Secretary)
Press Conference
Media and a high level government official – questions are often limited
Officials try to influence the flow of information to the press through leaks or media events.
Release of secret information
Visually interesting event designed to reinforce a politician’s position on an issue
Television has greatly influenced presidential campaigns from start to finish
Makes candidates easily accessible to the public; gain exposure for unknown candidates

6. TV and Presidential Elections
TV – allows for the public to see their representatives
“Telegenic – project a pleasing appearance and performance
“look the part”
Nomination process
Horse Race Coverage – treats elections like a sporting event
Front-runner – early leader
Communication
Campaigns
Andrew Jackson – “torchlight era” – stump speeches + parades + entertainment
1900’s – candidates used newspapers, radio, then in 1952 – TV

7. The Legislative Branch and the Media
Reporters “cover” the government –
Specialize – National, State or Local
Covering Congress
Focus on congressional leaders (Speaker of the House, Minority Leader)
Little attention to individual bills
The media report on controversial hearings as well as significant debates and bills.
C-SPAN (Cable-Satellite Public Affairs Network)
Television has impacted who runs for legislative office.
Recognition
Celebrities, Athletes, Actors, Actresses, Astronauts
Candidates for Congress employ television advertising as a major campaign strategy.
Spot Advertising – brief positive message of the candidate

8. The Judiciary and the Media
Much of the media’s coverage of the judiciary is related to criminal trials.
Public Trial – Media coverage
Media coverage of cases could lead to bias
Sequestered – jury to be isolated from public and media
Case can be moved to a different location – local bias + influence
The Supreme Court and other appellate courts receive less media coverage.
Justices rarely give interviews or discuss cases
Usually rule on laws – not ruling on criminal cases
Covering the courts differs greatly from covering the legislative and executive branches.
Media will report on national issues (Roe v Wade, North Carolina Bathroom Bill, Ohio “Heart Beat Bill.”)

9. Media and the Public Agenda
The mass media play an important role in setting the public agenda.
Social + Political + Environmental Issues
Wars, Terrorism, Health Care, College Education, Drug Epidemic)
The media help determine which political issues the American people and their leaders will be discussing.
Increased exposure = increased governmental action
Media choices on what to cover are impacted by personal views and business considerations.
Audience + Ratings
The extent of media coverage influences how important people believe an issue is to the nation.

10. Chapter 20.2 Regulating Print & Broadcast Media

11. Media Regulations Timeline

12. Media Protections Freedom of the press is fundamental to democracy.
Inform the public
Government is transparent and responsible
The First Amendment protects the print media from prior restraint but not from libel.
Prior Restraint – Gov’t censorship before publication
Libel – False written statements intended to damage a person’s reputation
Defamation – false expression that injures a person’s reputation
Freedom of Information Act - FOIA, passed in 1966, provides public access to most information.
Requires federal agencies to release files to the public
Not if National Security is at stake
The courts have not granted the press special rights of access beyond public access.
Most states have shield laws to protect reporters from having to reveal their sources.

13. Freedom of Information Act
Requires federal agencies to release files to the public, unless the material falls into certain exceptions for national security or other confidential information.
Extremely important because a free and independent press can provide citizens with a variety of information and opinions about government polices.
Protecting Sources –
Reporters need secret information + people want to remain anonymous
Shield Law – a state law that protects reporters from having to reveal their sources
Private Protection Act – 1980 – prevents all level of government from searching + seizing source documentation

15. Regulating Media
Goal: Government Regulations provide order, fairness and access to the mass media
Most media is private
Government has more power to regulate broadcast media (public airways)
Federal Communication Commission (FCC)
Gov’t agency with authority to regulate communication
Radio, TV, telephone, cable and satellite
Grant licenses to companies
Serve the public interest
The fairness doctrine
Rule that required broadcastings to provide opportunities for the expression of opposing views on issues of public importance
was used until 1987, when it was deemed unnecessary.
Multiple media outlets provide different view points (EX: Fox News + MSNBC)
Originally, the FCC set rules over the concentration of media ownership.
Set fines, limit obscene programming to certain hours, sets rules for broadcasters
The Telecommunications Act of 1996 ended or relaxed many FCC limits on media ownership.
Company cannot own 35% of TV shows

16. Media and National Security
Informing the public vs. Protecting the Nation
National security issues often create tension between the media and the government.
New York Times vs. United States – Pentagon Papers (how America became involved in the Vietnam War)
National Security vs. 1st Amendment Rights
The government classifies some information as secret and limits press coverage of military actions.
Embedded Journalists – journalists who follow troops during war
Government restriction on media coverage during wartime has varied.
Vietnam – Full media coverage
War in Iraq – only 500 allowed
Periodic leaks of secret information pit the government against the press.
WikiLeaks – information about the Iraq + Afghanistan Wars
NSA – National Security Agency – US Government was spying on citizens
Edward Snowden

17. 20.3 Internet and Democracy

18. Civic Participation and Digital Media
Public interaction with Government
Telephones + Letters
Now: Internet and Social Media
2012 – 40% of Americans participated in political surveys/posts online
Internet and Political Participation
Does Social Media enhance civic participation?
20% of social media users are motivated to participate in their community
3x as likely to discuss political affairs in person

19. Internet and Civic Participation
The Internet allows citizens to more easily participate in politics and government.
Blog – personal “web log” or online journal
The Internet provides easy access to information about government and politics.
Electronic petition – asks recipient to “sign” name electronically to a request to be sent to an official
All levels of government now provide services and information over the Internet.
Electronic mailing list – an automated e –mail notification that provides subscribers with current information on a topic
The Internet has become a powerful tool for citizen activism.
Blogs, gather information, access federal and state government websites, communicate directly with government officials
Presidential campaigns have begun to tap online opportunities for advertising and campaigning.

20. Digital Media and Elections
Digital Age and Government
Helps to “connect” politicians to the people
2012 – Obama and the internet
Encouraged younger voters
Politicians must adapt to technology to reach electors
“Day to day life is happening on the internet, and the political world is just catching up.”
Help America Vote Act – states required to update their voting procedures.
Electronic Voting
Online Voting?

21. Mass Media and New Media
With the Internet, mass media has become interactive rather than unidirectional.
Challenges – rise of news on internet, types of stories people have access to, traditional media is longer delivered
Online publishing produces greater diversity in sources, voices, and viewpoints.
Greater diversity of sources – multiple points of view = more of an educated public
Internet provides instant news + more depth
Change comes to “Reporting”
Anyone can become a reporter
Provide individual input on politics and events
Blogs + Videos
Must be evaluated for accuracy

22. How to Choose your News

23. Public Policy and the Internet
New laws must deal with the impact of the Internet on politics, business, and individuals.
Children’s Internet Protection Act of 2000, FCC Open Internet Order, legislation to prevent employers from requesting passwords to employee’s internet accounts
The FCC’s Open Internet Order supports “net neutrality.”
The ease of access to offensive content on the Internet leads to challenges in protecting children.
The growth of e-commerce has led to controversy over collection of state sales tax.
The sales of goods and services online
Some private digital information is available to law enforcement and private employers.