1. THE MEDIA: real force in politics because it is a real force in society Print Electronic Internet FUNCTIONS: 1.Entertainment 2.News reports 3.Agenda Setting a. Gate Keeper b. Scorekeeper “race horse” campaign coverage c. Watch Dog Tom Meyer - Action 19 News! 4.Political Forums “I am calling a press conference” “ Let’s float a trial balloon” - the use of “on background” “Home in Alaska “/ DWTS !? “The Apprentice”

2. Government Regulation of the Media Federal Communication Commission (1935) the “airwaves” are in the public domain therefore government can and should regulate 1 st Amendment rights not absolute. Though print media enjoys more freedoms. “prior restraint” still in effect but media source bears consequence of publication New York Times v. Nixon – national security trumped by right to know New York Times v. Sullivan – public figures have less right to privacy “confidentiality” is an ethical principle not a law shield laws protects reporter from prosecution or contempt charges no federal shield laws Electronic media is regulated by license requirements, FCC fines, and self regulation (media itself). NB: USA media is a commercial corporate business institution: it’s about making $ Basic Broadcast rules: 1. Telecommunication Act- ends prohibition against monopolies ( 8 outlets/market) Attempts to regulate but cable and internet makes more difficult. 2. Equal Time 3. Right of Reply – if “attacked” person as a right to air time to reply. 4. Fairness Doctrine – no longer viable, enough competition exists to allow for airing of both sides via rival media sites. The industry does not want to bring down the wrath of the public-Congress-FCC Cross Ownership: newspaper/radio and TV controlled by single entity

3. IMPACT OF THE MEDIA On POLITICS – Does it Hurt Political Efficacy (Internal/external) ? sound bites… the use of “talking points” ? attack ads (negative campaigning) and the consequence of how expensive campaigning has become…? too much attention on the President, and therefore too much expectation on the person? should it be a part of setting the policy agenda? The Media

4. The media is a “Linkage Institution” - History is key 1. “Mouthpiece” = spokesman of a specific political party (faction) 2. New Technology leads to more independent (ownership) stances by publishers rotary press/telegraph news wire services: AP and UPI 3. Early Modern Age characterized by: “Yellow Journalists” and Press Wars (Newsies) WR Hearst v. JP Pulitzer “Muckrakers” – magazines: Colliers’ and The Nation Ida Tarbell and Lincoln Steffens 4. Electronic Age: Radio and TV - entertainment - commercial = profit $$$$ - passively received by audience/ short attention span news is … “packaged” - “canned” … “sound bites”… “spots” - politicians needed to be “telegenic” 5. BLOG –ISPHERE Perez Hilton… TMZ… John Fanta… Professionalism? Ethics? Truth?

5. **** Politicians and Campaign Consultants know the importance of the media a VIP in every modern presidency is the PRESS SECRETARY POTUS tries to cultivate an advantageous relationship = FDR…JFK…RR but difficult because of the “adversarial” nature of media THE QUESTION OF BIAS is the media liberal? YES !!!! – political ideology/cleavages/socialization but remember the American national media is CORPORATE = GOVERNMENT REGULATION since 1934 FCC has regulated the electronic airwaves but the industry has preferred and strives to be self regulated violation = fines, and that cuts into profits public complaints lead to politicians wanting to pass more regulations and limits the rules: 1. requirement of educational/kids programming/ “family hours” 2. obscenity rules 3. equal accessviolation can lead to lose of license 4. equal time 5. right of rebuttal

6. Policymakers and the Media are Interdependent: they “need” each other media needs sources; policymakers need access to the public NB: adversarial nature of this relationship Remember : what is power? what is politics? The Relationship Rules:“on the record” “off the record” “on background” “on deep background” But good journalists understands that a policymaker is exploitive, So “three source rule” of verification vs. 24/7 news cycle???? Other “self-interest “ maneuvers: media event trial balloon sound bite “leak”

7. From the consumer’s perspective: the question of media bias must be realized… Routine story – simple telling of event Feature story – topic and tone chosen Insider Story – info only known by writer and the source The Media is …. An Agent of Socialization: teaching of political values Helps to set the Public Agenda 3 roles: watchdog gatekeeper scorekeeper