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as sources of our information how media operates—what it does what media is supposed to do historical role of the media role of journalists media and politics media and citizens
What do we expect the media to do? What should its job be? How can/does the media help cultivate
democracy? Whom does the media “work” for? We are dependant on media for
information.
Traditionalists: network news Integrators: newspapers and online mix Net-Newsers: most online Disengaged: not interested
Newspapers Magazines Radio TV Internet Other sources?
Newspapers and magazines-Readership is on the decline-Fewer newspapers than in many
industrialized countries-Only 7% of people read a national paper,
but 44% read local papers
Radio-Made news more up-to-the minute and personal
Television
-Dramatically changed the way people received their news
-Has increased the importance of image
-51% of Americans watch local news; 39% watch cable news; 36% watch network news
The Internet-Revolutionizing the way we get our news
-20% report getting their political news from the Internet; this percentage is rising
-Blogs
-More interactive than other media
Most media owned by rich corporations Mainstream media is generally afraid to
challenge those in power (Iraq War) “Pundits” have become celebrities
Government and the Media-pressure from those in power (Valerie Plame story)
Media and public opinion-need for profits.
Who owns the media? Commercial bias and monopolies Infotainment
Consequences: -Commercial bias: the tendency to make coverage and programming decisions based on what will attract a large audience and maximize profits-Reduced emphasis on political news-Infotainment: the effort to make the delivery of information more attractive by dressing it up as entertainment-Conflicts of interest
Foreign press Alternative media outlets Internet/blogs Citizen journalists Are these sources reputable? Do they
have standards of journalism? Does it matter?
Where do you get your news and why? Where do most Americans get their
news? Best sources—what are they and why? Worst sources…..why?
Who are they? What role do they play? Muckrakers or Gatekeepers?
Gatekeepers: those journalists who decide what news gets covered and how
Disseminators: those journalists who confine their role to getting the facts of the story straight and moving the story out to the public quickly
Investigators: investigate government’s claims, analyze and interpret complex problems, discuss public policies
Public mobilizers: develop cultural and intellectual interests of the public, set the political agenda, let people express their views
Washington press corps Pundits and celebrities journalists Revolving door “equal time” Attempting to be non-biased
Agenda setting Priming Framing Persuasion by professional
communicators
What is reported?
Horserace journalism Poll-driven reporting Emphasis on image Sound bites Scandal watching Feeding frenzy Spin and allowing it
Tight control of information Little access to politician Elaborate communications bureaucracy Bypass the White House press corps Prepackaged sound bites Strategic leaks/trial balloons Framing language
Read daily Read alternatives Question leaders….question authority
Who owns the media source? Who is the journalist? What is the news of the day? How is
the news framed by different sources? What real issues are involved? Is this
being reported?
Sources Spin Who are the advertisers? What is the media doing to get your
attention? Are there fluff stories?
What biases do you bring? Are you reading things that you
disagree with?
Celebrity journalist Commercial bias Feeding frenzy Horse race journalism Infotainment leaks
Investigative journalism Pundit Sound bite Spin Trial balloon
Generally, where do Americans get their news? Specifically, where do you get your news and why do you use that particular source?
Describe the historical development of the ownership of the American media and its implications for the political news we get.
What are the implications of media mergers on American politics? How do media mergers affect the way we get our news?
Explain and examine the link between the media and politics. What is the chief function of the media in American politics?
Discuss the relationship between the citizens and the media. Why do citizens need the media?
Who defines the news? What are the implications of these decisions?
Do you agree with the charge that the American press reduces complex and substantive issues to questions of personal images and contests between individuals? If that charge is true, what are the implications?
