Ch. 11 - Politics of the Media

1. Functions of the Media

1.1. Immense power

1.1.1. In a democracy, citizens must be educated and informed to make educated voting choices.

1.1.2. Main source of information

1.1.3. Shapes voters

1.1.4. Influences politicians

1.1.5. Intermediary between people and elected officials (government and the governed)

1.1.6. Helps pick issues to be discussed

1.2. Media Bias

1.2.1. Is evident in major outlets and has increased somewhat in recent times, however, there have been many periods in U.S. history where it's been prevalent as well.

1.2.1.1. Partisan journalism / "party presses" in the early 1800's.

1.2.1.2. Yellow Journalism - sensational stories.

1.2.1.2.1. Pinnacle was during the Spanish-American War in 1898

1.2.1.3. 'Objective', or 'descriptive' reporting began in the early 1900's.

1.2.2. Much of the bias is restricted to opinion and commentary, but a recent trend is to merge that with the news.

1.3. Role of the modern media

1.3.1. Provides a line of communication between the government and the people.

1.3.1.1. People learn about government

1.3.1.1.1. Election coverage

1.3.1.1.2. Investigative reporting

1.3.1.2. Government learns about the people

1.3.1.2.1. Reaction to press releases/ press conferences

1.3.1.2.2. Opinion polls

1.3.2. Agenda setting

1.3.2.1. News has to be prioritized, which determines the issues discussed and debated.

1.3.3. Pack journalism

1.3.3.1. Journalists copy other stories without doing their own investigating.

1.3.4. Acting as public representative

1.3.4.1. Investigative reporting aka. "watchdog journalism"

1.3.4.1.1. Watergate

1.3.4.1.2. Iran-Contra

1.3.4.1.3. Lewinsky

1.3.4.2. 2-way street: can be blocked from access by politicians.

1.3.4.2.1. "lapdog journalism"

1.3.4.2.2. "attack journalism"

1.3.5. Provides a political forum

1.3.5.1. Debates

1.3.5.2. Campaign coverage

1.3.5.3. Shedding light on political issues that eventually lead to legislation

1.3.5.4. Makes a case for government policies on behalf of politicians: war, laws, etc.