I.
1.
Campaign Coverage
Campaign strategy
Campaign managers decide a theme for the
day. (crime, terrorism, etc.)
B.
Campaign managers choose a backdrop.
C.
Campaign managers write a speech with
carefully worded phrases called sound bites.
Sound bite – phrase taken from a speech to be used
on newscasts
A.
2.
Candidate Centered Political Campaigns
Political campaigns are centered around candidates
and less focused on issues.
Reasons:
1. Replacing speeches with sound bites (7.8 seconds)
2. Focusing on day-to-day campaign activities (gaffes,
scandals, rallies, negative commericals)
3. Horse-race journalism – focusing on where
candidates stand in the polls rather than where they
stand on the issues
A.
II.
Media Bias
Objective Journalism – news reporting that
focuses on facts rather than opinions,
presents both sides of controversial issues.
(Fox News Slogan – “Fair and Balanced”)
1.
2. However, overwhelmingly the public believes
the media is biased.
Research suggest evening news outlets favor
Democrats (liberal media bias)
4.
Newspapers tend to endorse their candidates
without regard to party affiliation; they also
favor incumbents.
5.
Press has also grown increasingly negative –
focusing on conflict and controversy.
Attack journalism – journalists take an adversarial
role towards politicians
3.
III.
1.
2.
How Media Affects Policy Making
Signaling Role – media alerts the public to
important developments
Framing – how a media source defines and
constructs a political issue or public
controversy