 What are 3 types of propaganda
techniques used in campaign ads?
Interest Groups and Mass Media
 The ideas and attitudes that people hold about an
issue or person
 Personal Background – age, gender, income,
race, religion, and where you live
 Mass Media – TV, internet, books, newspapers,
radio, movies
 Public Officials – political leaders and
government officials
 Interest Groups – work to persuade people to
their point of view
 Election results
 Public Opinion Poll – survey of individuals beliefs
about particular issue or person
 Methods of mass communication
 Print media – books, magazines, newspapers
 Electronic media – TV, radio, internet
 What will attract the most viewers in order to
make a profit
 The issues and problems that receive the most
money, time and effort from the government
 Have effect on what the public thinks is important
 Candidates for office
 Give candidates exposure to run for office
 Give candidates idea of what the public is
concerned about
 Test public reaction: Politicians sometimes leak
(secretly pass on info) to gage how the public
will react
 Watchdog Role – expose government waste
and corruption
 Amendment I – protects the press from prior
restraint – censorship of material before it is
published
 Libel – cannot print false info that will harm
someone
 Slander – cannot speak untruths that harm
someone
 FCC – regulate broadcasting and can punish
stations that break rules
 A group of people who share a point of view about
an issue and unite to promote their beliefs
 People believe that by joining together they can
increase their influence
 The First Amendments freedom of assembly
 Economic Interest Groups:
 Focus on economic issues
 US Chamber of Commerce – promotes free
enterprise
 AFL-CIO – alliance of labor unions that fight for
workers rights
 AMA – American Medical Association: represents
doctors
 Promote a ethnic group, age, gender,
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religion or other special issue
NAACP – National Association for the
Advancement of Colored People
NOW – National Organization of Women
AARP – American Association of Retired
People
NRA – National Rifle Association
 Support causes that affect the lives of Americans
in general
 League of Women Voters - Educates voters about
candidates and issues
 MADD – Mothers Against Drunk Driving
 By forming PAC’s – political action committees to
raise money for candidates
 Going to court – taking cases to court to bring
attention to them
 By hiring lobbyists – specialists who try to
influence lawmakers
 The first amendments freedom to petition