1. Media and Government Informing the public

2. Mass Media All means of information transmissionAll means of information transmission » Historically print media was primary source of news and information » Today, 90 percent of Americans get news from TV » Internet is fastest evolving source of news and media

3. Functions of the Mass Media 1.Entertainment 2.Reporting News 3.Identify public problems 4.Socializing New Generations 5.Providing a Political Forum 6.Making Profits

4. Entertainment Greatest amount of Media hours Various political topics Affects political climate

5. Reporting News A primary purpose of all forms of mediaA primary purpose of all forms of media Reports on events, facts, ideas and people.Reports on events, facts, ideas and people. 1st Amendment intended to keep public informed1st Amendment intended to keep public informed

6. Identify public problems Investigative function (public agenda) Means of communicating to the public about issues Offers solutions or alternatives to policy problems Agenda Setting

7. Socializing New Generations Shaping beliefs and perceptionsShaping beliefs and perceptions  American history  Government  Culture Offers representation of Americanism Offers representation of Americanism  Real and fictitious material  Conforming to mainstream values

8. Providing a Political Forum Politicians use to communicate their beliefs and shape their imagePoliticians use to communicate their beliefs and shape their image Pundits promote an ideology or agendaPundits promote an ideology or agenda Public may express their political beliefsPublic may express their political beliefs – Social media

9. Making Profits Most media privately ownedMost media privately owned Rely on ratings/circulation for revenue from advertisersRely on ratings/circulation for revenue from advertisers May lead to conflicts of interest and questions of journalistic integrityMay lead to conflicts of interest and questions of journalistic integrity

10. Media’s effects on politics MessageMessage AdvertisingAdvertising ManagementManagement

11. The Message Newspaper: provides detailed descriptionsNewspaper: provides detailed descriptions TV: more superficial/greater impactTV: more superficial/greater impact Radio: detail, analysis, interactionRadio: detail, analysis, interaction Internet: combines all features, greatest access & growthInternet: combines all features, greatest access & growth

12. Advertising Shaping the message Greatest impact: attack ads Advantage to politicians with big money

13. Management Use of talking points and press eventsUse of talking points and press events Favors to get better coverageFavors to get better coverage SpinSpin Present the very best imagePresent the very best image Facebook and Twitter allow direct access to publicFacebook and Twitter allow direct access to public