Good afternoon students. James Madison here. Even though some of my fellow Founders and I were not big fans of pure democracy, we did feel that a free.

Good afternoon students. Good afternoon students. James Madison here. Even James Madison here. Even though some of my fellow though some of my fellow Founders and I were not Founders and I were not big fans of pure big fans of pure democracy, we did feel democracy, we did feel that a free press was that a free press was essential for keeping an essential for keeping an eye on government and eye on government and checking its excesses. checking its excesses. One thing that led to our One thing that led to our concerns aboutconcerns about freedom of freedom of the press was the John the press was the John Peter Zenger case of Peter Zenger case of 1735.1735.Students will explain the influence of the media on US government & politicsStudents will explain the influence of the media on US government & politics

Zenger CaseZenger CaseTried for libel in Tried for libel in New York in 1735New York in 1735simply for writing simply for writing against governmentagainst governmentpolicies. A local policies. A local jury acquitted him.jury acquitted him.

Students will explain the influence of the media on US government & politicsStudents will explain the influence of the media on US government & politics

Because of the Zenger Because of the Zenger case and some other case and some other concerns, we incorporated concerns, we incorporated the following words into the following words into the United States the United States Constitution in the First Constitution in the First Amendment: “Congress Amendment: “Congress shall make no shall make no law . . .abridging the law . . .abridging the freedom of speech, or of freedom of speech, or of the press; . . .” the press; . . .” We were We were committed to a free committed to a free mediamedia..Students will explain the influence of the media on US government & politicsStudents will explain the influence of the media on US government & politics

Students, I am the late Walter Students, I am the late Walter CronkiteCronkite. A democracy ceases . A democracy ceases

to be a democracy if its citizens to be a democracy if its citizens do not participate do not participate in its in its

governance. governance. To participate To participate intelligently, they must know intelligently, they must know what their government has what their government has

done, is doing and plans to do done, is doing and plans to do in their name. Whenever any in their name. Whenever any hindrance, hindrance, no matter what its no matter what its name,name, is placed in the way of is placed in the way of that information, a democracy that information, a democracy

is weakened, and its future is weakened, and its future endangered. endangered. This is the This is the

meaning of freedom of the meaning of freedom of the press. It is not just important to press. It is not just important to

democracy, it is democracy. democracy, it is democracy. Students will explain the influence of the media on US government & politicsStudents will explain the influence of the media on US government & politics

Thank you President Thank you President Madison and Mr. Madison and Mr. Cronkite. Hello, Cronkite. Hello, students. I am students. I am conservative conservative

commentator, Rush commentator, Rush Limbaugh. Colonel Limbaugh. Colonel

Simoncini asked me to Simoncini asked me to discuss the media with discuss the media with

you.you.The news media in the U.S. The news media in the U.S. has become the most has become the most

powerful influence on people powerful influence on people and, therefore, the and, therefore, the

government.government.Students will explain the influence of the media on US government & politicsStudents will explain the influence of the media on US government & politics

Uh, Rush, isn’t it true Uh, Rush, isn’t it true thatthat some people call some people call the media the “fourth the media the “fourth

branch of the U.S. branch of the U.S. government” or the government” or the

“fourth estate?”“fourth estate?”That’s true, Jon, That’s true, Jon,

because because the media has the media has such a great effect on such a great effect on lawmakers, presidents lawmakers, presidents and governors. and governors. The The problem is that it is a problem is that it is a branch thatbranch that has no has no

constitutional checks or constitutional checks or balances.balances.


OK then Rush. And isn’t OK then Rush. And isn’t one of the issues about one of the issues about

the media thatthe media that our our Constitution guarantees a Constitution guarantees a

free press, but not a free press, but not a responsible one?responsible one?

Exactly, Jon. And while Exactly, Jon. And while some TV, radio and print some TV, radio and print media reporters are very media reporters are very

responsible, some are responsible, some are not and have flat lied in not and have flat lied in

print or on the air.print or on the air.


Janet Cooke, Janet Cooke, Washington PostWashington Post, , ““Jimmy’s World,” 1980-1981Jimmy’s World,” 1980-1981

Jayson Blair, Jayson Blair, New York TimesNew York Times,,36 articles—quotes 36 articles—quotes and details fabricatedand details fabricated


Colonel, I know that Jon Colonel, I know that Jon and I have several and I have several

questions you want us to questions you want us to go over with the go over with the

students. But don’t you students. But don’t you want to do something want to do something

else first? else first?

That’s right, Rush. Let’s That’s right, Rush. Let’s take a brief look at some take a brief look at some significant events in the significant events in the

history of American history of American journalismjournalism..


American Journalistic History American Journalistic History

The Penny Press—newspapers available to allThe Penny Press—newspapers available to all Helped elect William Henry Harrison in 1840Helped elect William Henry Harrison in 1840Telegraph—led to the Telegraph—led to the development of the Associateddevelopment of the AssociatedPressPressThomas Nast—the first truly Thomas Nast—the first truly crusading crusading journalistjournalist



Yellow Journalism and the Spanish AmericanYellow Journalism and the Spanish American War (Hearst and Pulitzer)War (Hearst and Pulitzer)

““You provide theYou provide the pictures, I’ll providepictures, I’ll provide the war.”the war.”


Rush, that historical Rush, that historical stuff is interesting. But stuff is interesting. But

why has the modern why has the modern media in which you and media in which you and I both work become so I both work become so popular and powerful?popular and powerful?

Real simple, Jon.Real simple, Jon. Television revolutionized Television revolutionized politics and American life politics and American life

in general. in general. Heck,Heck, TV news TV news people are major people are major

personalitiespersonalities—and they —and they have been since the have been since the

1960s1960s..Students will explain the influence of the media on US government & politicsStudents will explain the influence of the media on US government & politics

From the 1950s:From the 1950s:

Edward R. Murrow (CBS) Edward R. Murrow (CBS) From the 1960s-From the 1960s-1970s1970s

Chet Huntley & David Chet Huntley & David Brinkley (NBC)Brinkley (NBC)

Walter Cronkite (CBS) Walter Cronkite (CBS)


Today: Today:

Brian Scott Diane Brian Scott Diane Megyn Megyn Williams Pelley Sawyer Williams Pelley Sawyer Kelly Kelly NBC CBS ABC NBC CBS ABC CNNCNN

Plus many others Plus many others



Today’s major newspapers: Today’s major newspapers: New York Times New York Times Los Angeles Times Los Angeles Times Washington Post Washington Post Wall Street Journal Wall Street Journal

Minority NewspapersMinority NewspapersSensationalist newspapers (Sensationalist newspapers (The National EnquirerThe National Enquirer))News MagazinesNews MagazinesTalk radioTalk radioThe Internet The Internet


So Rush, can you give So Rush, can you give some examples about how some examples about how American politicians have American politicians have used the media to their used the media to their

advantage or not used it, advantage or not used it, to their detriment?to their detriment?

Certainly, Jon. I’ll do Certainly, Jon. I’ll do that on the next that on the next

page.page.


The first president to effectively use The first president to effectively use the electronic media was Franklin D.the electronic media was Franklin D.Roosevelt with his Roosevelt with his Fireside Chats during the Great Depression and during the Great Depression and World War II.World War II.

John Kennedy took took advantageadvantageof his wit, of his wit, good looks & good looks & charm withcharm with weekly televised weekly televised press conferences


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kFvrL_nqx2c&safety_mode=true&persist_safety_mode=1&safe=active

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NaZ3onbUrew&feature=related&safety_mode=true&persist_safety_mode=1&safe=active

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HDrpvQSpss0&feature=related&safety_mode=true&persist_safety_mode=1&safe=active

Lyndon Johnson often watched the three dinner hour news broadcasts three dinner hour news broadcasts (NBC, CBS and ABC) at the same (NBC, CBS and ABC) at the same timetime to measure what the people to measure what the people heard and thought.heard and thought.


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wVEz0dZVwxs&safety_mode=true&persist_safety_mode=1&safe=active

Ronald Reagan, Ronald Reagan, known as the known as the Great CommunicatorGreat Communicator, used his , used his training as an training as an actor to win over actor to win over the American the American people on TV. He people on TV. He also beganalso began what what has become a has become a tradition among tradition among presidents:presidents: a a weekly, Saturday weekly, Saturday morning, radio address morning, radio address to the peopleto the people..


Richard Nixon, Richard Nixon, however, essentiallyhowever, essentially hated the news media hated the news media and during and during the Watergate scandal, many in the the Watergate scandal, many in the media took delight media took delight in helping bring in helping bring down his down his administration.administration.


Rush and Jon, that’s a Rush and Jon, that’s a little bit about the history little bit about the history of American Journalism, of American Journalism, including how famous including how famous

politicians have used the politicians have used the media. Now, let’s get media. Now, let’s get

into the questions.into the questions.

Thanks, Colonel. All right, Thanks, Colonel. All right, students, I would like one students, I would like one

of you to tell me of you to tell me how how effective you believe the effective you believe the

American news media has American news media has been in serving as a been in serving as a

watchdog over watchdog over governmentgovernment..


OK, that’s good. How OK, that’s good. How about someone else tell about someone else tell me how effective you me how effective you believe the American believe the American

news media has been in news media has been in clarifying electoral clarifying electoral

choiceschoices..


Rush, sometimes Rush, sometimes members of the members of the media can be media can be

downright lazy. For downright lazy. For example, there is example, there is

horse-race-horse-race-journalismjournalism..

Good point, Jon. Good point, Jon. HRJ HRJ is the tendency of is the tendency of

media to cover media to cover campaigns by campaigns by

emphasizing the emphasizing the relative standings of relative standings of candidates in polls candidates in polls

rather than the rather than the issues they decide.issues they decide.


OK, that’s good, too. OK, that’s good, too. Someone else evaluate Someone else evaluate how the media provides how the media provides policy information to the policy information to the

peoplepeople..


Right now, Simoncini wants you to Right now, Simoncini wants you to form into small groupsform into small groups to discuss to discuss

what EACH of you discovered when what EACH of you discovered when you read an online you read an online blogblog. . Give the Give the site, the blogger, what the blogger site, the blogger, what the blogger

said, and what you thought about it.said, and what you thought about it.


The most popular The most popular medium for news medium for news

today is television. today is television. One reason is the One reason is the proliferation of TV proliferation of TV news channelsnews channels like like

CNN, MSNBC, CSPAN CNN, MSNBC, CSPAN and politicaland political talk talk

shows on TV and radioshows on TV and radio, , such a my show every such a my show every day from 9:00 a. m. day from 9:00 a. m. until 12:00 p.m.,until 12:00 p.m., and and

don’t forgetdon’t forget prime prime time news TV,time news TV,

like like 60 Minutes60 Minutes..


Not to Not to mention mention comedy comedy

shows that shows that focus on the focus on the

news.news.

Yeah, Yeah, boy!boy!


American television consumption American television consumption todaytodayAverage adult male: 29 hours/week Average adult male: 29 hours/week Average adult female: 34 hours/weekAverage adult female: 34 hours/weekU. S. households with at least 1 TV: 99%U. S. households with at least 1 TV: 99%Average TVs per U. S. household: 2.24Average TVs per U. S. household: 2.24U. S. households with 3 or more TVs: 66% U. S. households with 3 or more TVs: 66%


Between the 1950s and mid-1980s,Between the 1950s and mid-1980s, most Americans (90%) obtained television news from most Americans (90%) obtained television news from the major networks. Since the mid-1980s, evening the major networks. Since the mid-1980s, evening news viewership has dropped to about 50% of news viewership has dropped to about 50% of Americans. Other means now include the InternetAmericans. Other means now include the Internet and cable news showsand cable news shows

Newspapers—many more older people than youngerNewspapers—many more older people than younger people people (difference of 30 percentage points)(difference of 30 percentage points)


So, Rush, I hate to ask So, Rush, I hate to ask this, but are TV and radio this, but are TV and radio now considered the now considered the best best

sources sources of news in of news in America?America?

No, they aren’t, John. TV No, they aren’t, John. TV and radio may be the and radio may be the

most popular forms, but most popular forms, but many experts agree that many experts agree that

newspapers and news newspapers and news magazinesmagazines, like , like Time Time and and NewsweekNewsweek, , provide the provide the

most in-depth news most in-depth news reportingreporting..


How has the Internet changed American politics?How has the Internet changed American politics?Candidate home pagesCandidate home pagesMobilizing citizens behind a candidate or causeMobilizing citizens behind a candidate or causeFund raisingFund raising


First, much of the rich and First, much of the rich and diverse diverse

information on the Internet information on the Internet only only

reaches small and fragmented reaches small and fragmented audiences and usually only audiences and usually only has an impact when and to the extent they can has an impact when and to the extent they can attract the attention of the mainstream news attract the attention of the mainstream news media. The most visited hard-news sites are media. The most visited hard-news sites are those that are run by traditional media those that are run by traditional media organizations. organizations. What seems on the surface to be a What seems on the surface to be a fantastic expansion in the amount of political fantastic expansion in the amount of political news in reality is an expansion in the number of news in reality is an expansion in the number of ways in which the news is distributed.ways in which the news is distributed.

But, remember the But, remember the Internet has limitations.Internet has limitations.


Firms that dominate the media Firms that dominate the media

Newspapers: Gannett, Newhouse Newspapers: Gannett, Newhouse and McClatchyand McClatchyMagazines: Time WarnerMagazines: Time Warner

Television: General Electric, Television: General Electric, Disney, News Corp., Disney, News Corp., and Viacomand Viacom


Here I am in uniform to Here I am in uniform to ask ask why is so much news why is so much news

coverage uniform?coverage uniform?

Same sources for newsSame sources for newsPurchases of headlines from Purchases of headlines from a a handful of providershandful of providersAP supplies most of the main AP supplies most of the main national and international national and international stories stories for newspapersfor newspapersStudents will explain the influence of the media on US government & politicsStudents will explain the influence of the media on US government & politics

Infotainment Infotainment Coverage of Coverage of politics and politics and government has government has been crowded been crowded out by coverage out by coverage of crime, sports,of crime, sports,weather, lifestyles,weather, lifestyles,and other and other audience-grabbingaudience-grabbingtopics.topics.


•Most coverage: assigned to predictable events long Most coverage: assigned to predictable events long before they happenbefore they happen•Woodward and BernsteinWoodward and Bernstein articles are rarearticles are rare•Most reporters get their Most reporters get their stories quickly and stories quickly and efficiently from press efficiently from press conferences and press conferences and press releases that officials releases that officials writewrite


Reporters often have to depend on official Reporters often have to depend on official sources, sources, which means that government officials are which means that government officials are sometimes able to control what journalists sometimes able to control what journalists report report and how they report itand how they report it

SpinSpin

Enemies watch TV also—don’t want to put the Enemies watch TV also—don’t want to put the lives lives of American military personnel in jeopardyof American military personnel in jeopardy

Press poolsPress pools Embedded journalistsEmbedded journalists

Controlling Coverage of Military OperationsControlling Coverage of Military Operations


•Informal rules of journalism:Informal rules of journalism:•Explicit interpretations by journalists are avoidedExplicit interpretations by journalists are avoided•Cannot directly expose liesCannot directly expose lies•Cannot identify events as stagedCannot identify events as staged

•Experts are selected partly for reasons of Experts are selected partly for reasons of convenience and audience appeal convenience and audience appeal

Barry McCaffrey Barry McCaffrey


You know, Rush, I pride You know, Rush, I pride myself and my show for myself and my show for

being objective. But haven’t being objective. But haven’t many in the media been many in the media been

accused of lacking accused of lacking objectivity or even having objectivity or even having

bias in presenting their bias in presenting their stories?stories?

You hit that one on the head, You hit that one on the head, Jon. In 2009, Jon. In 2009, 60% of Americans 60% of Americans believed the news media was believed the news media was

biased while only 18% believed biased while only 18% believed it was objectiveit was objective. Can any one . Can any one of you students give Colonel of you students give Colonel

Simoncini definitions of Simoncini definitions of objectivityobjectivity and and biasbias??


OK, Rush, OK, Rush, objectivity is the objectivity is the ability to report ability to report both sides of an both sides of an

issue without issue without bias.bias.

That’s right-on, That’s right-on, Jon. And, Rush,Jon. And, Rush, bias is personal bias is personal

judgment or judgment or prejudice. prejudice. Of Of

course, neither course, neither John nor I are John nor I are

biased.biased.


But, gentlemen, But, gentlemen, remember there is remember there is little little

or no systematic or no systematic evidence that reporters evidence that reporters

personal values regularly personal values regularly affect what appears in affect what appears in the mainstream news the mainstream news

mediamedia..•Commitment to objectivityCommitment to objectivity•Owners Owners et alet al: conservative: conservative


Right now I need one Right now I need one student to discuss student to discuss

each of theeach of the five five prevailing themes in prevailing themes in

political news.political news.

•NationalismNationalism•Approval of the American economic Approval of the American economic systemsystem•Negativity and scandalNegativity and scandal•InfotainmentInfotainment•Limited, fragmented and incoherent Limited, fragmented and incoherent political infopolitical info


Rush, let’s take a moment Rush, let’s take a moment to go outside of the text. to go outside of the text.

People like me like an People like me like an unrestrained media. But unrestrained media. But

didn’t the didn’t the mediamedia have have more more restraintrestraint in the old in the old

days?days?Very true, Jon. Back in Very true, Jon. Back in the early ’60s, many in the early ’60s, many in the news media knew the news media knew

that President that President Kennedy Kennedy had extramarital affairs had extramarital affairs

and said nothingand said nothing. . NowadaysNowadays, well, , well, everything goeseverything goes..


Rush, you, Simoncini and Rush, you, Simoncini and I know the answer to this I know the answer to this but I wonder how many but I wonder how many

students can tell us students can tell us when all that restraint when all that restraint

changed?changed?Good! Yes, most experts Good! Yes, most experts say that the say that the Watergate Watergate scandal in 1972-1974scandal in 1972-1974

changed the media. They changed the media. They found that found that Americans like Americans like

scandal and will pay to hear scandal and will pay to hear about itabout it. After all the . After all the

media is big businessmedia is big business and and who gets the best stories who gets the best stories makes the most money.makes the most money.


In the late 19In the late 19thth and early and early 2020thth centuries, the Yellow centuries, the Yellow Journalists played a Journalists played a major role in agenda major role in agenda setting. setting. Today the topics Today the topics that get the most that get the most coverage in the media at coverage in the media at a given point are the a given point are the issues that people tell issues that people tell pollsters are the most pollsters are the most important problems important problems facing the nation.facing the nation.


Students, I am Ted Students, I am Ted Turner, the founder of Turner, the founder of the Cable News Network the Cable News Network (CNN). (CNN). What is the CNN What is the CNN effect?effect?

When the media decide to highlight a humanWhen the media decide to highlight a human rights tragedy in real time, political officials feelrights tragedy in real time, political officials feel compelled to act. compelled to act. One scholarly study indicatesOne scholarly study indicates that that media choices about foreign policy storiesmedia choices about foreign policy stories shape what presidents pay attention to.shape what presidents pay attention to.


Students, I am NBC Nightly News Students, I am NBC Nightly News anchor, Brian Williams. anchor, Brian Williams. Media Media framing, or our interpretations of framing, or our interpretations of stories, affects how people think stories, affects how people think about political problems and how about political problems and how they assign blame. they assign blame. Little things Little things such as the such as the words we choose to words we choose to say or how we pause between say or how we pause between words or how we emphasize words or how we emphasize words play a major role in how words play a major role in how people interpret what is going people interpret what is going on. on. Indeed, we have Indeed, we have considerable power and considerable power and influence.influence.


Students, Chief Students, Chief Justice John Roberts, Justice John Roberts, once again. once again. What is What is

prior restraintprior restraint??

Only under the most pressing circumstancesOnly under the most pressing circumstances of danger to national security can the of danger to national security can the government engage in prior restraint—the government engage in prior restraint—the power to prevent publication of material to power to prevent publication of material to which the government objects.which the government objects.


Some laws governing licensing of the airwavesSome laws governing licensing of the airwaves

Radio Act of 1927Radio Act of 1927Communications Act of 1934 (FCC)Communications Act of 1934 (FCC)Telecommunications Act of 1996Telecommunications Act of 1996


This has been an interesting This has been an interesting discussion, Rush. Early on discussion, Rush. Early on you noted that if the media you noted that if the media is the 4is the 4thth branch of branch of government it does not have government it does not have any checks. I disagree. any checks. I disagree. Doesn’t the FCC check the Doesn’t the FCC check the media?media?

Yes, I agree, JohnYes, I agree, John. The Federal . The Federal Communications Commission, Communications Commission, established in 1934established in 1934, does , does maintain some watch over maintain some watch over fairness and equal time within fairness and equal time within the media. the media. But in many other But in many other ways mentioned before, there ways mentioned before, there really are few checks on the really are few checks on the mediamedia..


And let’s not forget And let’s not forget that the FCC also has that the FCC also has little, if any, control little, if any, control over the Internet. The over the Internet. The Internet has fewer Internet has fewer controls about fairness, controls about fairness, equal time and other equal time and other factors. And they are factors. And they are getting very powerful. getting very powerful. In fact, the Internet is In fact, the Internet is slowly strangling the slowly strangling the newspaper industry.newspaper industry.


So, here is theSo, here is the bottom line: bottom line:there isthere is a love-hate a love-hate relationship between relationship between public figures and the public figures and the media. Politicians need the media. Politicians need the media media to get their message to get their message to the votersto the voters, but dislike it when the , but dislike it when the media “oversteps their bounds.” media “oversteps their bounds.” Politicians will go out of their way Politicians will go out of their way to court the media, but will always to court the media, but will always be careful in what they saybe careful in what they say. .


Rush, let’s not Rush, let’s not forget that it’sforget that it’s not not

just the news media just the news media that has an effect that has an effect on opinion and, in on opinion and, in

some cases, some cases, legislation. legislation. Movies, Movies, radio and TV shows radio and TV shows can also influence can also influence

opinion.opinion.Students will explain the influence of the media on US government & politicsStudents will explain the influence of the media on US government & politics

Also, the Also, the 1970s CBS 1970s CBS sitcom, sitcom, All All In In The FamilyThe Family changed changed thethe attitudes of attitudes of many people about many people about several several social issuessocial issues, such as , such as bigotry.bigotry.

Exactly, Steven. As Exactly, Steven. As you know, TV you know, TV

characters like mine, characters like mine, and shows like and shows like Will Will and Graceand Grace, have , have

made some people made some people more open to gays more open to gays

and lesbians.and lesbians.


Michael MooreMichael Moore

Yes, and don’t forget that Yes, and don’t forget that movies I have made like movies I have made like Fahrenheit 9/11Fahrenheit 9/11, , Roger and Roger and MeMe, , SickoSicko, and , and Bowling For Bowling For ColumbineColumbine have influenced have influenced both a lot of public opinion both a lot of public opinion (making me rich) as well as (making me rich) as well as helped initiate some helped initiate some legislation. We in legislation. We in the the entertainment media can be entertainment media can be quite persuasive and quite persuasive and powerful!powerful!


Good afternoon students. James Madison here. Even though some of my fellow Founders and I were not big fans of pure democracy, we did feel that a free.

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