Chapter 10
News Media
Press
 News organizations and journalists are referred to
collectively as the news media or press.
 Can includes newspaper, internet sites, tv broadcasts,
and magazines
 Has ongoing daily relations with politics here in the
U.S.
 Libel and slander difficult to prove
History
 Alexander Hamilton was instrumental in the creation
of the first newspaper which was utilized to share
information about George Washington’s policies
 Partisan press: publishers who back a political party
or candidate; was a form of propaganda seen early in
this country
History
 Yellow journalism: sensational journalism used to
draw readers
 Objective journalism: reporting of facts rather than
opinion
 New technology: the creation of the internet has
changed the speed with which news can be shared
What kind of press exists now?
Newspapers
1.
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5.
Over 1500 in US
Many nonpartisan except for editorial pages
Differ in reporting styles
Dependent on wire services for information
Bigger paper (ex: the Washington Post) may create
their own news b/c have greater resources
Broadcast News
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1.
2.
3.
Radio broadcasting came about in the early 20th
century and was first national mass media
By 1950s 90% of homes had television
Types of news venues:
Radio talk shows
Television Network News
Cable television
New News Mediums
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1.
2.
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First televised Presidential debate was between
Nixon and Kennedy in 1960 election
The internet has changed everything.
The internet
Shrinks the world
Gets news out immediately
Is largely unregulated
Roles of Media
 Signaling: seek to alert the public to import events as
soon as possible
 Agenda: can focus the public’s attention thereby
influencing public opinions and policy agendas
 Common-carrier: provides political leaders a channel
through which to communicate to the masses
Roles of Media
 Watchdog: watch over political officials ready to
expose violations
 Public-Representative: serve as spokespersons of the
public as some reporters feel it is their role to
advocate for the citizenry
Do we see more than one role utilized? Is the media too
influential now?
Summary
 At the beginning of our history, the media was closely
aligned with politicians but there is more autonomy
now.
 The press performs many different roles and has a
significant amount of influence over public opinions
and political agendas.
 The media is not always unbiased. Question your
sources.