1. How News Reported! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lCho-_t6bEU
Unit 5: Linkage Institutions

2. Driving force behind the News? Q1 & 2:
High ratings  Advertising $  Profits $$$
Consequences =
a news political agenda based on $
An American citizenry that lacks basic political knowledge
News becomes the sensational, unusual or negative events which get more attention of public than the boring good stuff on politics
This negative & unusual makes people think Govt. always doing bad things!

3. Their source of information: Advantage to politicians:
How News gathered? Q3
News gathered by BEATS!
Journalists assigned to certain institutions of government, ex. White house, Senate, Pentagon etc.
Their source of information:
The Press Secretaries: spokes people of these institutions through press conferences
Advantage to politicians:
Let’s politicians control how much & what type of information is reported to the public

4. Sometimes the information the journalists receive are:
Trial Balloons? Q4
Sometimes the information the journalists receive are:
Trial Ballons: Intentional leaks by politicians to gauge/measure the political reaction to a policy idea or choice for government (anonymous source)
If the idea bad:
Abandon ship
If idea good:
Could be basis for new policy, or person chosen for a federal position, etc.

5. The Format of news Reporting! Q5
No depth!!
Talking Heads tell news w/use of Soundbites!
This allows:
Glossing over complexities of issues
Puts focus on politician & their personalaities rather than their policies
The advantage this presents:
allow politicians to craft political personas/image without having to directly address an issue
This contributes to Americans’ lack of political knowledge

6. Bias in News & News Business? Q6
Not in way news is presented!
However, a factor in what is news (chosen) & what is not news (not chosen)!!
Little evidence of ideological or party driven bias, bias more towards:
dramatic or sensational stories that are likely to draw large audiences ($$)!

7. Media & public agenda! Q7 & Q8
Enormous influence:
The Gatekeepers pick which stories to focus on  those stories become most pressing political topics  determine political priorities of public = telling us what to think about!
In area of politics:
Shift from covering government as a whole to individual politicians
Consequence = too much attention on president  enhances position & power!

8. Tries to keep government answerable to the public!
Media as Watchdog! Q9
Tries to keep government answerable to the public!
However, has a bit of “chicken or the egg” problem:
Its format discourage Americans from thinking critically about politics
But
Since news is based on ratings, its content reflects what citizens want to see and read

9. History of Govt. & Press! Q10:
Early history:
Used to work together to communicate w/public, govt. honest!
FDR started good relations:
invented press conferences
Used radio to do his “fireside chats”
Two events changed this relationship:
Vietnam War (Pentagon Papers)
Watergate scandal
The trust was gone, govt. can lie!
Today media more suspicious of political motives:
Lots of investigative journalism w/intent of exposing political scandals

10. Politician use of media! Q11
3 ways used to set agenda:
A media event:
an event staged by a political leader w/purpose of coverage in the media to shape an image or draw attention to a chosen issue:
They use the media to run advertisements:
Often 30 seconds in length, make up majority of spending on campaigns
Presidents also use the media to make direct appeals to the public

11. 4 main roles of Mass Media! Q12:
It informs the public:
Tells us what is news, what things the public should be concerned about
The media also helps shape public opinion:
Tells us what to think by which news they choose, becomes part of the national dialogue
Provides link between citizens & their government:
C-Span and C-Span II show what policies/actions government is working on
Serves the role of Watchdog:
Investigate & examine members of govt. when rules broken or caught in acts of corruption, bribery or serious crimes.