1. Lesson 3

2. What are we looking for in this section?  How the media provides citizens opportunities to communicate their needs and concerns about political issues.

3. Where do you get your news?  In partners, respond to the following questions (recording your answers on or below this slide):  1. How does the source of your news affect the information you get?  2. Do some formats communicate more effectively than others?  3. How do you know if you have access to reliable, balanced information?  4. Create a list of roles and responsibilities the media plays in the governance of Canadians.

4. Who are the media?  “Media” refers to all forms ___________ ____________________, such as newspapers, magazines, radio, television, the Internet, bulletin boards, direct and electronic mail, and advertising.  Technology has increased the speed at which news travels, therefore, the media play an increasingly important role in shaping how Canadians ____________________.

5. What does the media do?  The media does not only report news, they influence our ________________ of the world.  All media messages are created by people who must interpret the facts and make ________ about how to tell the story. The story we hear is often missing important pieces of information, causing us to see an issue a certain way.

6. Media’s role in Politics?  The freedom of the press is guaranteed under the Canadian Charter of ____________ and ____________________.  Over 350 news agencies report on the actions of the Canadian government as part of the ____________________________________. Their main role is to inform the public about Government policy, activities, legislation, and political platforms.  Leadership Debate 2011  It is important to remember that journalists make decisions about what stories to cover and whose ______________________ to include.

7. Not always receiving the whole story  Not only does the media take certain aspects out of _______________ or leave out entire pieces of info. At times but…the Government can also ______________ the information coming out of its various departments.  Read “Ottawa’s media rules muzzling federal scientists…” Read “Ottawa’s media rules muzzling federal scientists…”  Can the media truly serve its actual purpose?

8. Public Relations & Spin  Political parties employ __________________ specialists to help them get their desired message across.  They often try to control information available to the media through press conferences and formal ___________________.  Media savvy politicians will often use memorable quotes or “sound-bites” to get their point across.