1. Political Process Unit 3 Lesson 5
Mass Media
Political Process Unit 3
Lesson 5

2. Types of Media
Mass media plays an important role in influencing government and forming a link between people and elected officials
Print media: newspapers, magazines, newsletters, and books
Electronic media: radio, television, and the internet
In the US most media outlets are private businesses that are run for a profit; advantages/ disadvantages?
TV is the most important form of media for politics, 98% of Americans have a TV

3. Media’s Impact
Setting the Public Agenda: media has great influence on which problems in are country are covered and the politicians pay attention to; meaning?
Candidates and Elections: media allows people to gain support for office without having to work in politics for many years
Elected Officials: journalists and politicians have a complicated relationship; adversary or friend? Leaks? Bias?

4. Media’s Impact
Watchdog role: journalists are eager to expose waste or corruption, also have begun to dig into politicians personal lives; problems?
Media and National Security: there is a need for balance for information and the need for the govt. to keep secrets to protect national security; govt. can control media reports by classifying information as secret and limiting press coverage of military actions; good vs. bad; coffin photos?

5. Protecting the Media
In the US the Constitution plays an important role in protecting the ability of the mass media to operate freely; 1st amendment
Prior Restraint: govt. can not censor material before it is published; Cuban Missile Crisis
Govt. decides who gets to use the limited number of airwaves for broadcasting through the Federal Communications Commission; control content

6. Propaganda Techniques
Endorsements: if a person likes the person endorsing the candidate they will like the candidate
Stacked cards: presents only one side of an issue often by distorting the facts
Name-calling: attempt to turn people against opponent by insulting that person
Glittering Generality: statement that sounds good but is essentially meaningless
Symbols: using symbols to create a certain feeling
Just plain folks: making the candidate appear to be a regular person
Bandwagon: convince people that everyone agrees with this candidate
Example of “just plain folk”