1. Highlights: Monitoring Government
SS.7.C.2.10
Examine the impact of media, individuals, and interest groups on monitoring and influencing government.
Terri Susan Fine, Ph.D.
Content Specialist, Florida Joint Center for Citizenship

2. The Methods used by Interest Groups and the Media to Monitor and Influence Government
Source of Influence
Method of Influence
Example
Media
The media use their “freedom of the press” guaranteed by the First Amendment (see Benchmark 2.4) to monitor and influence government by publishing stories about government officials in newspapers and on-line, and broadcasting information through the television and radio.
In 1974, the U.S. House of Representatives Committee on the Judiciary voted to recommend that the U.S. House of Representatives impeach (see Benchmark 3.3 and Benchmark 3.8) President Nixon. These events were impacted by two Washington Post journalists, Carl Bernstein and Robert Woodward, who acted as watchdogs on government when they suspected wrongdoing by the president’s top staff.
Interest Groups
Interest groups use their speech, peaceable assembly, and petition rights protected by the First Amendment (see Benchmark 2.4) to monitor and influence government. Interest groups raise money and contribute to candidates, work with their members to communicate with government (including lobbying), and educate their members and the public on key interest group positions.
Congress passed the Federal Election Campaign Act in 1971 which required that candidates disclose the sources of political campaign contributions (see Benchmark 3.8). Three years later, in 1974, Congress placed limits on the amount of money that Political Action Committees could give to candidates and political parties. The purpose of these policies was to provide transparency for the public and to limit the impact of interest groups in elections.

3. Individuals Monitoring and Influencing Government
The methods that individuals may use to monitor and influence government are also considered responsibilities of citizenship (see Benchmark 2.2/2.3/2.14)
Method
Explanation
Example
Voting
The people decide who holds public office through voting. Individuals running for office bring their perspectives into the policy arena, so it is important for individuals to vote for persons whom they support. Votes cast for persons who lose elections still give voters a voice in government because the winner understands that persons who supported the opponent are constituents who vote in elections.
Arkansas Governor Bill Clinton, a Democrat, was elected president in The Democrats were also elected as the majority party in both houses of Congress (see Benchmark 3.8). Two years later, in 1994, the election results for both houses of Congress resulted in a Republican majority party in each. Many argue that the public was dissatisfied with Clinton’s job performance and this dissatisfaction was reflected in individuals’ vote decisions.

4. Individuals Monitoring and Influencing Government
Method
Explanation
Example
Attend civic meetings
Attending civic meetings provides a face-to-face opportunity to interact with government leaders. Civic meetings also helps individuals to stay informed about issues that concern elected officials. Civic meetings also provide individuals with the opportunity to express their concerns to government.
On June 7, 2011, Steve Jobs, the founder of Apple, Inc., asked the Cupertino (CA) City Council for permission to build a building that would house 13,000 employees on Apple’s existing campus in Cupertino. The city council granted Mr. Jobs’ request, which impacted Cupertino’s economic and environmental circumstances.

5. Individuals Monitoring and Influencing Government
Method
Explanation
Example
Petition the Government
The right to petition is protected by the First Amendment (see Benchmark 2.4). Citizens may write a single letter, with multiple signers, asking government to take a specific action. Multiple signatures shows government that many citizens support the request.
On October 2, 2012, the Florida Panhandle Patriots set up an online petition to encourage Senator Don Gaetz (Florida Senate President) to oppose a bill.
Below is the text of the petition:
Relating to public policy, due process, and private real property; We The People, strongly reject United Nations Agenda 21 and its ancillary programs.
We the undersigned prohibit the State of Florida and all of its political subdivisions from adopting and developing environmental and developmental policies that, without due process, would infringe or restrict the sovereignty of the State of Florida and private property rights of the owner of private property.

6. Individuals Monitoring and Influencing Government
Method
Explanation
Example
Running for Office
Any U.S. citizen may run for public office provided that they meet the eligibility criteria (citizenship status, age, residency). Winning elected offices gives someone a formal voice in government, and provides better access for monitoring and influencing government.
Joe Saunders ran for, and won, the Florida House of Representatives District 35 seat in Representative Saunders decided to run to represent the district, which includes almost all of the University of Central Florida, in order to take part in monitoring various aspects of the university including equal access to education. Representative Saunders is a graduate of the University of Central Florida.