Chapter 12
The Media
Mass Media
–
All forms of communication that transmit
information to the general public
Not only means of communication between citizens
and government
Linkage mechanism
Development
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Newspapers
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Colonial, 1840s, Late 1800s - Yellow Journalism
Magazines – mid-1800s, 1920s - Time, Newsweek
Radio – 1920s
Television – 1950s, today 24/7
Internet -
Roles of the Media
– Informing the public
– Shaping public opinion
– Providing a link between citizens and
government
– Watchdog - oversight
– Agenda setter – what becomes national
political news
– Gatekeeper – executives & editors
– Scorekeeper
Media Ownership &
Government Regulation
–
Private ownership – independent of
government, but rely on advertising
Regulation
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Technical regulations
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Structural regulations
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Federal Communications Act 1934 – Federal
Communications Commission (FCC)
Telecommunications Act 1996 – broadened
competition
Content regulations
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First Amendment
Libel - written
Slander – spoken
Prior Restraint
What is News?
Reporting the News
– Gatekeeper
– Horse-race
journalism – “If it bleeds
it leads.”
– News Cycle
Media & the President
• DC – largest press corps – 1/3 covers the
White House
• W.H. Press Secretary
• Media Events
Media & Congress
– Less control
– Congress (House / Senate / Leadership) vs.
individual members
– Confirmation hearings, oversights
investigations, or scandals
– C-SPAN
Methods of dissemination
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News releases –
prepared texts
News briefings –
announcements /
daily questioning
of the press
secretary
News conferences
– questioning of
high level officials
Leaks – trial
balloons
“Rules”
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On the record – official may be quoted
by name
Off the record – official’s quote may not
be printed
On background – what is said can be
printed, but not attributed by name
On deep background – what official
says can be printed, but no attribution
Bias
– Liberal – NY Times, CNN, Washington Post,
NBC, ABC, CBS, The Nation
– Conservative – Washington Times, FOX,
Wall Street Journal, Weekly Standard, talk
radio