1. Power Point #6 The Mass Media
Government
Unit 2

2. Essential Questions:
How does the media shape our view of the world and ourselves?
What things did you see or hear through the media in this last election cycle that influenced you for or against each candidate?
What things are you hearing or seeing during the build up for the 2020 election that are currently influencing your opinion regarding who you will vote for?

3. What is Mass Media
The mass media also helps to create public opinion through communicating with large audiences at one time
Print Media
Newspapers, magazines, etc.
Broadcast Media
Television, radio, etc.
Internet (combination of both)
Articles, videos, message boards, real-time chat, blogs, etc.

4. How Does Mass Media influence Public Opinion?
Because mass media can attract large audiences, people will often look to media for political guidance
– Political Ads
– Political Commentators
– News Networks
– Political humor?
• Sociologists often call these commentators “opinion
leaders”

5. Conservative “Opinion Leaders”

6. Liberal “Opinion Leaders”

7. Role of Media in a Democracy
Candidates need the media to campaign and get elected.
Elected officials need the media to explain their policies and try to get public support.
People depend on the media to give attention and importance to their issues.
The media exposes scandal and controversy and acts as the “watch-dog”.

8. Mass Media Shaping Public Opinion

9. Mass Media Shaping Public Opinion

10. Candidates use Mass Media to Help their Campaigns
Candidates will often use the mass media to:
– Shape “good” public opinion about themselves
Shape “bad” public opinion about their opponents
Examples:
– Campaign Ads
– Debates
– Interviews
Campaign Speeches

11. The 1950s – The First Ads

12. 1960s – First TV Presidential Debate

13. 1960s-70s: The First “Attack Ads”

14. 1980s -1990s: “Hollywood” Production

15. 2000s – Internet Age: “Nothing is Private…”

16. The President and the Media
Presidential Campaigns
Identifying Candidates – the media gives exposure to candidates so that the public can get to know them, identifies the front-runners.
Campaign Advertising – candidates use the media to get their message (issues, ideas, etc.) to the people.

17. The President and the Media
News Release – a ready made story prepared by officials for members of the press.
News Briefing – a government official makes an announcement or explains a policy to the press, press can ask questions.

18. The President and the Media
Press Conference – planned, controlled events where the press questions a high-ranking official (typically, the President or a member of the Cabinet) in the past questions are known in advance or “friendly” members of the press are called on – not so now.

19. Media and the Congress
Congress – Media typically covers the controversial aspects like confirmation hearings, debates on major issues, or scandals/personal business of members.
C-SPAN – offers coverage of floor proceedings in the House and the Senate.

20. Media and the Supreme Court
Supreme Court – gets much less media coverage than the other branches (no cameras or microphones are allowed inside the chambers) and newspapers only cover a few of the major decisions each year.
Media must wait outside

21. Media and Public Agenda
Setting the Public Agenda – the media plays an important role by creating the list of problems that the public and political leaders feel need attention
The media also creates their agenda. This is evidenced by what they choose to cover and what topics they focus on.

22. Regulating the Media

23. Regulating the Media: Free Press
Free Press – protected by the 1st Amendment.
No prior restraint (government censorship)

24. Regulating the Media: Libel
Libel – false statements intended to damage a person’s reputation. NOT protected! Can be sued!

25. Regulating the Media: Right of Access
The Right of Access – members of the media must have access to information in order to fulfill their role.
Should the media have special privileges to info?
The courts generally say no, but typically reporters do have more access than the general public.

26. Regulating the Media: Protection of Sources
Protection of Sources – most states have shield laws to protect reporters from having to reveal their sources.
Helps get info from sources that want to remain secret, without shield laws many sources would not come forward.

27. Regulating the Media: FCC
FCC – created in 1934, government agency with authority to regulate communications (radio, television, telephone, telegraph, cable and satellite).
Makes rules for appropriate content, issues licenses.

28. Example:. FCC charges CBS over Super Bowl half time
Example: FCC charges CBS over Super Bowl half time show wardrobe malfunction
Read only (no notes):
The Philadelphia three-judge panel had previously ruled in 2008 that the FCC improperly assessed a $550,000 fine against the network for the exposure of Janet Jackson’s breast during the 2004 Super Bowl halftime show - the wardrobe malfunction that lasted barely more than a half a second. But, last year, the U.S. Supreme Court disagreed. Citing a Fox Television-led challenge arguing that the FCC could threaten fines over the use of a single curse word on live TV, the High Court ordered the appeals court to review the ruling again.

29. Regulating the Media: National Security
National Security – always a debate between the need for information for the public and the need to keep secrets for national security (especially when it comes to foreign affairs).
At times the government tries to limit press access by classifying documents as secret or deny access to military actions.

30. The Internet and Democracy
Important features – unique benefits.
Widespread – rapidly developing, % of Americans had access at home.
Interactive – people can connect with others.
World-wide – access is global which provides huge diversity.
Gathering Information – the internet is increasingly used to get political information
candidates, issues, legislation, polls, etc.

31. The Internet and Democracy
Impact on Participation – the internet provides opportunities to participate and become more active.
Communication with elected officials, petitions, e-voting, etc.
Challenges – anyone has access to post anything on the internet and view anything on the internet.
False, obscene, and other offensive material is readily available (and sometimes hard to avoid or detect).

32. Essential Questions:
How does the media shape our view of the world and ourselves?
What things did you see or hear through the media in this last election cycle that influenced you for or against each candidate?
What things are you hearing or seeing during the build up for the 2020 election that are currently influencing your opinion regarding who you will vote for?