chapter 10 the media. the party press / at first politicians created, sponsored and controlled...

Chapter 10Chapter 10

The MediaThe Media

The party pressThe party press At first politicians created, sponsored

and controlled newspapers to further their interests

Circulation was small because of the slow printing press and expensive advertising costs

For these reasons only the political and commercial elite had access to newspapers

At first politicians created, sponsored and controlled newspapers to further their interests

Circulation was small because of the slow printing press and expensive advertising costs

For these reasons only the political and commercial elite had access to newspapers

The popular pressThe popular press The high speed rotary press enabled a mass

number of papers to be produced quickly and inexpensively

The telegraph enabled news to travel quickly from Washington D.C. to major cities

The Associated Press (AP) was created in 1848 allowing telegraphic dissemination of info to newspaper editors on a systematic basis

The high speed rotary press enabled a mass number of papers to be produced quickly and inexpensively

The telegraph enabled news to travel quickly from Washington D.C. to major cities

The Associated Press (AP) was created in 1848 allowing telegraphic dissemination of info to newspaper editors on a systematic basis

The popular press IIThe popular press II The Government Printing Office ended it’s

subsidies in 1860 Newspapers were no longer biased and did

not need the support from political figures They could soon support themselves with

money gained from buyers and people who advertised in the paper

They attracted their readers with sensationalism

The Government Printing Office ended it’s subsidies in 1860

Newspapers were no longer biased and did not need the support from political figures

They could soon support themselves with money gained from buyers and people who advertised in the paper

They attracted their readers with sensationalism

The popular press IIIThe popular press III

Yellow Journalism, which exaggerates news in order to attract readers, was developed around the turn of the century

Yellow Journalism, which exaggerates news in order to attract readers, was developed around the turn of the century

Magazines of opinionsMagazines of opinions The middle class started to favor new

progressive periodicals over newspapers Competitive city newspapers began to

decline due to more successful papers This caused sensationalism to decline Individual writers started to gain Nat'l

following for their investigative reporting Contrary to the earlier newspapers, today

only a fraction of our periodicals focus on politics

The middle class started to favor new progressive periodicals over newspapers

Competitive city newspapers began to decline due to more successful papers

This caused sensationalism to decline Individual writers started to gain Nat'l

following for their investigative reporting Contrary to the earlier newspapers, today

only a fraction of our periodicals focus on politics

Electronic JournalismElectronic Journalism Radio arrived in the 1920’s and t.v. in

the 1940’s These were ways for politicians to talk

directly to their audiences without news editors

The only downfall was that politicians can easily be ignored this way ( turning off the t.v., changing the radio station)

Radio arrived in the 1920’s and t.v. in the 1940’s

These were ways for politicians to talk directly to their audiences without news editors

The only downfall was that politicians can easily be ignored this way ( turning off the t.v., changing the radio station)

Electronic Journalism IIElectronic Journalism II The president always had a chance to

be on radio / t.v., whereas other politicians had to do something to draw attention to themselves

Talk shows have increased the chances for politicians to get on the radio / t.v.

The three big stations (ABC, CBS and NBC) dominated media coverage until 1990

The president always had a chance to be on radio / t.v., whereas other politicians had to do something to draw attention to themselves

Talk shows have increased the chances for politicians to get on the radio / t.v.

The three big stations (ABC, CBS and NBC) dominated media coverage until 1990

Electronic Journalism IIIElectronic Journalism III

In 1933 sound bites for the president were 42 seconds long, in 2000 they averaged about 7.3 seconds

However, lengthy time slots are given on talk shows, cable t.v. and on morning shows

Research has not shown whether or not these changes benefit or hurt candidates

In 1933 sound bites for the president were 42 seconds long, in 2000 they averaged about 7.3 seconds

However, lengthy time slots are given on talk shows, cable t.v. and on morning shows

Research has not shown whether or not these changes benefit or hurt candidates

The internetThe internet

A free market in political news because one can ban, control or regulate it.

Because of the internet voters and political activists can now talk to each other

A free market in political news because one can ban, control or regulate it.

Because of the internet voters and political activists can now talk to each other

Degree of competitionDegree of competition

Cities like Nyc, Boston, Atlanta,Philly, Washington, LA and Detroit have 2 main central city newspapers but most cities only have one

There are thousands of t.v. channels, radio stations and magazines that are geared toward a certain group of people

Cities like Nyc, Boston, Atlanta,Philly, Washington, LA and Detroit have 2 main central city newspapers but most cities only have one

There are thousands of t.v. channels, radio stations and magazines that are geared toward a certain group of people

Degree of competition IIDegree of competition II Newspaper circulation has been

decreasing since 1967, most people get their news from t.v. sources

Unlike European democracies, t.v. and radio stations are composed mostly of locally owned and managed enterprises

Radio and television stations have limitations placed on them by the FCC

Newspaper circulation has been decreasing since 1967, most people get their news from t.v. sources

Unlike European democracies, t.v. and radio stations are composed mostly of locally owned and managed enterprises

Radio and television stations have limitations placed on them by the FCC

The national media The national media The existence of the Nat'l media offsets

local orientation Even though local newspapers are

popular many papers are circulated around the whole country

The AP and United Press International supply most of the Nat'l news

The existence of the Nat'l media offsets local orientation

Even though local newspapers are popular many papers are circulated around the whole country

The AP and United Press International supply most of the Nat'l news

The national media IIThe national media II Magazines such as Time and Newsweek

had Nat'l readership T.v. networks that broadcast news

across the country are ABC, CBS, NBC, CNN , FOX, etc…

Newspapers with Nat'l readership include the Wallstreet Journal, Christian Science Monitor, and the USA today

Magazines such as Time and Newsweek had Nat'l readership

T.v. networks that broadcast news across the country are ABC, CBS, NBC, CNN , FOX, etc…

Newspapers with Nat'l readership include the Wallstreet Journal, Christian Science Monitor, and the USA today

The national media IIIThe national media III These national news sources are

significant because they are what officials in Washington pay attention to, they do not pay attention to local news

Nat’l Reporters and editors are different than locals in that: they’re better paid, come from more prestigious universities, have more liberal outlooks, write more investigative or interpretive stories

These national news sources are significant because they are what officials in Washington pay attention to, they do not pay attention to local news

Nat’l Reporters and editors are different than locals in that: they’re better paid, come from more prestigious universities, have more liberal outlooks, write more investigative or interpretive stories

Roles played by the Nat'l media

Roles played by the Nat'l media

Gatekeeper: they decide what becomes news and for how long

ex)auto-saftey, pollution, prescription drugs were not issues until the press began to publish about them

Scorekeeper: they keep up with what is going on

ex) presidential races, Iowa & NH

Gatekeeper: they decide what becomes news and for how long

ex)auto-saftey, pollution, prescription drugs were not issues until the press began to publish about them

Scorekeeper: they keep up with what is going on

ex) presidential races, Iowa & NH

Roles played by the Nat'l media II

Roles played by the Nat'l media II

Watchdog: they investigate personalities and expose scandals

ex) Watergate, Somalia This is a way for them to gain

respect from their colleagues and earn a lot of money

Watchdog: they investigate personalities and expose scandals

ex) Watergate, Somalia This is a way for them to gain

respect from their colleagues and earn a lot of money

Rules governing the mediaRules governing the media Newspapers Vs electronic media: The constitution says you cannot place

restrictions ahead of time on newspapers (only in very narrow circumstances), however you can punish afterward

Radio and t.v. networks are regulated. Both require licenses to air

Newspapers Vs electronic media: The constitution says you cannot place

restrictions ahead of time on newspapers (only in very narrow circumstances), however you can punish afterward

Radio and t.v. networks are regulated. Both require licenses to air

Rules governing the media IIRules governing the media II Confidentiality of Sources: Reporters want the right to keep their

sources confidential however many states and the federal government disagree with it

The supreme court allows gov’t to compel reporters to divulge info in court if it applies to a crime

Confidentiality of Sources: Reporters want the right to keep their

sources confidential however many states and the federal government disagree with it

The supreme court allows gov’t to compel reporters to divulge info in court if it applies to a crime

FCC licensingFCC licensing

7 yrs to renew for radio, 5 yrs for t.v.

FCC can regulate the content of what goes on the air

In recent years there has been a relaxation of the rules

7 yrs to renew for radio, 5 yrs for t.v.

FCC can regulate the content of what goes on the air

In recent years there has been a relaxation of the rules

Other t.v. and radio regulations

Other t.v. and radio regulations

Equal time rule-if a station sells to one candidate it must sell equal time to the opposing candidate

Right of reply rule- when a candidate is attacked, they can reply on the same station

Equal time rule-if a station sells to one candidate it must sell equal time to the opposing candidate

Right of reply rule- when a candidate is attacked, they can reply on the same station

Other t.v. and radio regulations II

Other t.v. and radio regulations II

Political editorializing rule- if a broadcaster endorses a candidate then the opposing has the right to reply

Fairness doctrine- broadcasters must give both views of controversial issues. FCC abolished this saying it inhibited free discussion of issues, however many voluntarily follow it

Political editorializing rule- if a broadcaster endorses a candidate then the opposing has the right to reply

Fairness doctrine- broadcasters must give both views of controversial issues. FCC abolished this saying it inhibited free discussion of issues, however many voluntarily follow it

CampaigningCampaigningDebates formally had to have all candidates

present, or else they were covered as a news event

Rates for campaigning can be no higher than the least expensive commercial rate ( for comparable time)

T.v. campaigning is most beneficial for presidential candidates

Debates formally had to have all candidates present, or else they were covered as a news event

Rates for campaigning can be no higher than the least expensive commercial rate ( for comparable time)

T.v. campaigning is most beneficial for presidential candidates

Media influences politics Media influences politics Newspapers usually endorse

Republicans locally and Democrats nationally

Conventions scheduled accordingly to be televised

Certain issues are benefited (ex- environmental & consumer) when a candidate is in the spot light because of press attention

Newspapers usually endorse Republicans locally and Democrats nationally

Conventions scheduled accordingly to be televised

Certain issues are benefited (ex- environmental & consumer) when a candidate is in the spot light because of press attention

Media and the political agenda

Media and the political agenda

Many people wouldn’t be concerned with issues if they weren’t in the media

The media has control over what people become concerned about, but not how they react to it

Many people wouldn’t be concerned with issues if they weren’t in the media

The media has control over what people become concerned about, but not how they react to it

Coverage of CongressCoverage of Congress Never equal to the coverage of the

president, making congress resentful No camera’s in the house ( except for

ceremonial events) until 1978 CSPAN has had non stopped coverage

of congress since 1979 Because camera’s are constantly

around senators it’s an incubator for presidential contenders

Never equal to the coverage of the president, making congress resentful

No camera’s in the house ( except for ceremonial events) until 1978

CSPAN has had non stopped coverage of congress since 1979

Because camera’s are constantly around senators it’s an incubator for presidential contenders

Public view on the mediaPublic view on the media

Most people believe the media, especially what they see on t.v.

The percentage of people that believe the media is biased is increasing

The press itself believes it is unbiased

Most people believe the media, especially what they see on t.v.

The percentage of people that believe the media is biased is increasing

The press itself believes it is unbiased

News storiesNews stories

Stories are influenced by four factors: deadlines, audience attraction, fairness and truth norms, and the beliefs of the reporter/editor

There are three types of stories:

Stories are influenced by four factors: deadlines, audience attraction, fairness and truth norms, and the beliefs of the reporter/editor

There are three types of stories:

News stories cont’dNews stories cont’d 1. Routine stories: public events

regularly covered (ex. The pres take a trip/ a Bill is passed)

2. Selected/ Featured stories: events not routinely covered that the reporter chooses to write about

3. Insider stories: not usually made public; when an insider tells a reporter

1. Routine stories: public events regularly covered (ex. The pres take a trip/ a Bill is passed)

2. Selected/ Featured stories: events not routinely covered that the reporter chooses to write about

3. Insider stories: not usually made public; when an insider tells a reporter

News leaksNews leaks Contrary to many other democracies,

printing government secrets is not illegal

Many leaks occur because of the competition between governmental branches. Each branch competes with one another by leaking information about projects and such to make themselves look better

Contrary to many other democracies, printing government secrets is not illegal

Many leaks occur because of the competition between governmental branches. Each branch competes with one another by leaking information about projects and such to make themselves look better

Since Watergate…Since Watergate…

The press and the gov’t greatly distrust each other

The media is always eager to search to find the “real story“ behind everything

The press and the gov’t greatly distrust each other

The media is always eager to search to find the “real story“ behind everything

Sensationalism in the mediaSensationalism in the media

Before 1980 sex escapades of political figures were not reported

Since 1980, sex and politics have been widely covered

These stories grab the attention of readers

Before 1980 sex escapades of political figures were not reported

Since 1980, sex and politics have been widely covered

These stories grab the attention of readers

Impact of September 11Impact of September 11

Public interest grew in national news

There became a greater trust and confidence in news organizations

Public interest grew in national news

There became a greater trust and confidence in news organizations

Government and journalistsGovernment and journalists Abundance of congressional staffers

makes it easy for reporters to get information for their stories

Local reporters are less adverse towards Washington officials than Nat'l reporters

Reporters who bash the president are frowned upon however those who write good about the president are benefited with news leaks and tips for stories

Abundance of congressional staffers makes it easy for reporters to get information for their stories

Local reporters are less adverse towards Washington officials than Nat'l reporters

Reporters who bash the president are frowned upon however those who write good about the president are benefited with news leaks and tips for stories