Interest Groups and the Media
BY: HAYA AKHRAS, RHEA NAIR, ESTHER LEE
AND JULIA HAYES
Chapter 11 Objectives
Explain why the characteristics of American society and government
encourage a multiplicity of interest groups, and compare the American and
British experiences in this regard.
2. Describe relations between leaders and rank-and-file members of groups,
including why the sentiments of members may not determine the actions of
leaders.
3. Describe several methods that interest groups use to formulate and carry
out their political objectives, especially the lobbying techniques used to gain
public support. Explain why courts have become an important forum for
public-interest groups.
4. List the laws regulating conflict of interest, and describe the problems
involved with “revolving door” government employment. Describe the
provisions of the 1978 conflict-of-interest law. Explain the suggestions that
have been made for stricter laws. Describe the balance between the First
Amendment’s freedom of expression and the need to prevent corruption in
the political systems.
1.
Chapter 12 Objectives
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
Describe the evolution of journalism in American political history, and
describe the differences between the party press and the mass media of
today.
Demonstrate how the characteristics of the electronic media have affected
the actions of public officials and candidates for national office.
Describe the effect of the pattern of ownership and control of the media on
the dissemination of news, and show how wire services and television
networks have affected national news coverage. Discuss the influence of the
national press.
Describe the rules that govern the media, and contrast the regulation of
electronic and print media. Describe the effect of libel laws on freedom of
the press and of government rules on broadcasters.
Assess the effect of the media on politics, and discuss why it is difficult to
find evidence that can be used to make a meaningful and accurate
assessment. Explain why the executive branch probably benefits at the
expense of Congress.
Important Highlights in Chapter 11
Money and PACs
 Money is least effective way to influence politicians
 Campaign finance reform law of 1973 had two effects
 Restricted amount interest groups can give to candidates
 Made it legal for corporations and unions to create PACs
 Recent increase in ideological PACs; one-third liberal, two-thirds conservative
 Ideological PACs raise more but spend less because of cost of raising money
 In 2000 unions and business organizations gave most
 Incumbents get most PAC money
 Business PACs split money between Democrats and Republicans
 Democrats get most PAC money
 No evidence PAC money influences votes in Congress
 Most members vote their ideology
…continued
Regulating interest groups
 Protection by First Amendment
 1946 law accomplished little in requiring registration
 1995 lobby act enacted by Congress
 Lobbyists must report twice annually
 2007 reforms by Democrats
 Gifts from registered lobbyists or firms that employ them
 Reimbursement for travel costs from registered lobbyists or forms that employ them
 Reimbursements for travel for trips organized or requested by registered lobbyists or
 firms that employ them
 Rules will probably be enforces “strictly speaking”
 Exceptions, loopholes and need for clarification
 Still room for evasion and abuse
 Significant restraints prior to 1995 still in effect
Important Highlights in Chapter 12
Rules governing the media
 Newspapers almost entirely free from government regulation; prosecutions only after
 the fact and limited: libel, obscenity, incitement
 Radio and television licensed, regulated
 Reporters want right to keep sources confidential

Most states and federal government disagree

Supreme Court allows government to compel reporters to divulge information in court
 if it bears on a crime
 Regulating broadcasting
 Seven years for radio

Five years for television
 Stations must serve “community needs”

Public service, other aspects can be regulated

Recent movement to deregulate
 License renewal by postcard

No hearing unless opposed

Relaxation of rule enforcement

Radio broadcasting deregulated the most

Telecommunications Act of 1996 permits one company to own as many as eight
 stations in large markets (five in smaller ones)
…Continued
Campaigning
 Equal time rule applies
 Equal access for all candidates
 Rates no higher than least expensive commercial rate
 Debates formerly had to include all candidates
 Reagan-Carter debate sponsored by LWV as a “news event”
 Now stations and networks can sponsor
THE GAME
 Each quad is a team
 One person from each team will go up one at a time to




receive a password.
They must hint the password to their own team using 7
words only. **They are not allowed to use the password
in their 7 words
The team has 1 minute to guess the password from the
word bank. They also have three guesses.
If the team doesn’t get the word within the minute, they
don’t get the point.
The team with the most points gets candy.
WORD BANK
PLURALIST THEORY
POLITICAL ACTION COMMITTEE
LOBBYIST
LOBBY
SOLIDARY
MATERIAL
PUBLIC-INTEREST LOBBY
IDEOLOGICAL INTEREST GROUPS
ASSOCIATED PRESS
ATTACK JOURNALISM
CANNED NEWS
COMMUNITY NEEDS
EQUAL TIME RULES
FAIRNESS DOCTRINE
FCC
FEATURED STORIES
FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT
INSIDER STORIES
MUCKRAKERS
OFFICIAL SECRETS ACT