1. Politics and mass media
Chapter 8

2. Mass Media
Those sources of information and means of communication – such as radio, television, magazines, and the internet – that reach large numbers of the public.

3. Example: Nixon/Kennedy Debate 1960 Presidential election
Mass media has had a huge impact on our lives and the way that we interpret the world around us.
Example: Nixon/Kennedy Debate Presidential election
Show Clip from – Stay Tuned Television’s Unforgettable Moments 4:42 min

4. Government Protection of Mass Media
Protection of Print Media
Prior Restraint – the governmental censorship of information before it is published or broadcast.
Shield law – a law that protects journalists from being compelled to reveal confidential sources of information against their will.
These protections are found in the 1st amendment

5. Libel – written statement that defame a person’s character, damage his or her reputation, or expose him or her to public ridicule.
1st Amendment – the press has often argued that the people have the right to know.
The government & the press have fought over this for years.
Branzburg v. Hayes (1972)

6. Government Protection of Mass Media
Freedom in Broadcast Media
The FCC
The Federal Communications Commission
Responsible for radio & TV
Equal time doctrine
The FCC requirement that equal radio or television airtime must be made available to opposing candidates running for public office.
Broadcast media is more closely regulated by the government
FCC – Requires broadcast media to have a license. Controls swearing on the broadcast media, require stations to devote a certain percentage of broadcast time to public service information, news, & political candidates. Limits ownership of multiple & radio stations in the same area, so that the public receives multiple view points.
Equal Time Doctrine – has existed since The candidate in question doesn’t have to take the time but it must be offered to them. In 1983 the FCC relaxed this rule, allowing stations to invite candidates, of their choice, to the debates. Since we live in a two party system, and third parties are rare, when they do emerge they attract more media attention than the other main political parties.
Example: John Anderson in 1980, Ross Perot in 1992/1996, & Ron Paul 2008

7. Forming & measuring public opinion

8. Public Opinion
The attitude expressed by citizens of a country about government and politics.
There are several factors that ultimately influence a persons political attitude.
A person’s political attitude can be influenced by six key factors.

9. Family Gender Religion Education Race & Ethnicity Region
Family - Families are the first to influence an individual political opinion. Individuals are likely to agree with their parents on specific issues. Equal rights for minorities, military spending, or school prayer
Gender - There are significant differences between men and women and their political views. Gender sensitive issues War, gun control, pornography, and alcohol (c. 1900’s).
1950’s  Women tended to be Republican
1960’s  Women started to move Democrat
Present day women, more than men tend to be Democrats.
Religion - Religious beliefs and practices influence political attitudes in two areas
Economic issues E.g. taxes, welfare programs, & national spending
Social issues E.g. equal rights, abortion, & school prayer
Catholic families are somewhat more liberal on economic issues than protestant families
Jewish families tend to be much more liberal on both economic and social issues.
Education - Schools acquaint young people with the political system (like this class).
College educated individuals tend to be more liberal in their political views
College students tend to be more liberal than the rest of the general population
Region – North, South, Midwest, etc.

10. Measuring public opinion

11. Informal Polling
Straw Poll – an unofficial vote or poll indicating the trend of opinion about a candidate or issue.
Sample – in polling, a small number of people drawn from & analyzed as representative of the total population to be surveyed.
Informal, not scientific polls have long been used to gauge public opinions.
Collected by phone class, word of mouth, or mail.
Straw Polls  aren’t always reliable, it depends on the amount & quality of the sample.
A good sample is a cross section of the total population, without this the poll is unreliable/incorrect

12. Scientific Polling Based on several basic rules
Proper sample (based on random choice of the population)
Fair & clear questions
Sample size
High margin of error

13. Political ideologies

14. Ideologies
A body of ideas or views of the world that reflect the social needs, values, and ideas of an individual or group.
In the US political ideologies typically fall into three different categories liberal, conservative, and moderate.

15. Liberal
A person expressing political views or policies that favor the use of governmental power to promote individual liberties & social programs.

16. Conservative
A person expressing political views that generally favor traditional values, that status quo, and the idea that government should stay out of the idea that government should stay out of the affairs of private citizens.

17. Moderate
A person opposed to extreme views; one whose political attitudes are between those of a conservative and a liberal.

18. Radical
A person with extremely liberal political views who favors rapid & widespread change to the current political & social order.
Reactionary
A person with extremely conservative political views who favors the widespread changes necessary to return to an earlier government or society.

19. Political Spectrum Center Right Left Communist Socialist Liberal
Moderate
Conservative
Reactionary
Fascist

20. Political Parties

21. Political Parties
A group of people organized to influence government through winning elections and setting public policy.
Example: Republican & Democratic Parties

22. One Party System
A political system in which one party exists or routinely controls the government.
Party leaders make policy
Most one party systems do have elections, but choices are limited.

23. Two Party System
A political system in which only two major parties compete for control of the government

24. Multiparty System
A political system in which many parties exist & compete for control of the government.

25. Winner-take-all
An electoral system in which the person with the most votes wins
No majority is needed.
Example: David Lieps Atlas of U.S. Presidential Elections 

26. Role of Political Parties
Recruiting & Labeling
Acting as Watchdogs
Getting Out Information
Running the Government

27. Major American Political Parties
1828
National
Republican
Party
1860
Constitutional
Union Party
1787
Federalist
Party
1836
Whig
Party
1854
Republican
Party
1790
1810
1830
1850
1860
1787
Anti-Federalist Party
1792
Democratic Republican Party
1828
Democratic
Party

28. 1912
Bull Moose
Progressive Party
1890
1930
1950
1960
1910
1948
State’s
Rights
Party
1968
American
Independent
Party
2000
Green
Party
1980
2000
2020
1996
Reform Party
The Tea Party ???

29. Minor Parties in the US Election Year Party Percent of Vote
Electoral Votes
1832
Anti-Masonic
7.8 7
1860
Secessionist Democrats
18.1 72
1892
Populists
8.5 22
1912
Progressive
(Bull Moose)
27.4 88
1948
State’s Rights
(Dixiecrats)
2.4 39
1968
American Independent
13.5 46
1996
Reform
8.4 --
Example: David Lieps Atlas of U.S. Presidential Elections 

30. Influence of Minor Parties
Influencing the outcomes of elections
Encouraging the major parties to face important issues