the media chapter 12. // - rock center with
TRANSCRIPT
The Media
Chapter 12
http://www.nbcnews.com/id/21134540/vp/49027779#49027779 - Rock Center with Brian Williams
Copyright © 2009 Pearson Education, Inc. Publishing as Longman.
Dean’s Scream
●After the Iowa Caucus in 2004, Dean makes
his “I Have a Scream” speech.
●Dean’s campaign collapsed after extensive
(633 national airings in four days) media
coverage of the scream.
●The problem: what brought about the
media’s feeding frenzy?
You knew this was coming...
Copyright © 2009 Pearson Education, Inc. Publishing as Longman.
Perry Forgets
●Perry soon after loses momentum and
eventually drops out of primaryo never was able to recover from this change
●So, what role does the Media play in politics? o In your notes brainstorm as many different
things as you can think of...
Historical Outline of the Media in Politics●The Party PressoParty controlled Newspapers
expensive, thus for the elites Alexander Hamilton and the Gazette of the United
States Thomas Jefferson and the National Gazette
oShowed strength of the political parties as journalists were funded by the parties, those in power and out of power (government employees... Jacksonian Era)
Historical Outline of the Media in Politics
●The Popular PressoTechnological Changes
Rotary Press (mass production, thus cheaper) Telegraph (quicker flow of news)
oCreation of Associated Press general stories written and shared via telegraph across
the country. Short and sweet summarizing the basics of stories (AP)
o1860: Government Printing Office ends government involvement of private contracting printing
oRise of publishers and editors Pulitzer and Hearst and Yellow Journalism in late 1800s "Wow" factor in looking for readers
Historical Outline of the Media in Politics
●Magazines of OpinionoYellow JournalismoFocus becomes on Public Policy
First founded in 1850s and 60s: The Nation Atlantic Monthly Harper's
oMuckrackers and investigative JournalismoWriters gained national following creating debate and
conflict around public policyoTODAY: Political Magazines account for small number of
magazines published (magazines now focused on entertainment and leisure activities)
Historical Outline of the Media in Politics●Electronic JournalismoThe rise of radio and television in early and mid 1900s.oEasier access for politicians, but creates own problems
different stations--not listening (other options) shorter segments because of money and time
oRecently, the rise of: Internet cable news blogs
oEasier access, early "Big Three" hurting for viewers (chart 293)
What is Newsworthy?
You are the high powerful producer of a major cable news network. Two event occur simultaneously, which one do you spend more time covering and why?
News Event One: the murder of an abortion doctor in Wichita, Kansas by an alleged anti-abortion activist
News Event Two: the murder of an Army recruiter and the wounding of another in Little Rock, Ark., by an alleged Muslim convert who is said to hate the U.S. military
DISCUSS
Roles of the MediaDirections: In your notes find where it talks about each of these roles of the media and (1) define what each is (2) give an example from the reading (3) think of a more recent example●GATEKEEPER
●SCOREKEEPER
●WATCHDOG
1The national media can influence what subjects become national political issues and for how long
2Automobile safetywater pollutionquality of prescription drugs
3
LINK
1The national media keep track of and help to make political reputations
2“mention” candidatesdecide who is winning/losingJimmy Carter as example
3
LINK
1Investigative roleexposing scandals
21988 Gary Hart being unfaithful to his wifeWatergate Scandal
3
LINK
Screen shots taken at the exact same time. Thoughts?
Reporters and Bias
●Liberal Media?oReporters are overwhelmingly liberal.
oNews stories are generally not politically
biased.
oWhy do we think so? Media’s role as critic of government is something
we associate with liberals.
Newspaper editorial pages are biased; selective
perception sees that bias in the media.
Reporters and Bias
●Liberal Media?oMost journalists want to be first and foremost
good journalists. Professional ethics: good journalism must “tell both
sides” and be free of opinion. Role of journalism is to inform the public.
●Dean was the most liberal mainstream candidate.oWhy would the “liberal” media attack a liberal
candidate?
Copyright © 2009 Pearson Education, Inc. Publishing as Longman.
Reporters and Bias●What does being a journalist means to journalists?
What three things should you look for when reading a newspaper or article to discern if there is a bias?
1. What is covereda. news sources can pick and choose among lesser stories -
editors will choose what they believe to be the most imp. issues ----> influencing their readers
2. Who are the sourcesa. Beware of the: anonymous source
i. Trial balloon - testing public reactionii. Hoping to kill an idea
b. Beware of the: Key facts from an advocacy sourcei. EX: “drug abuse is soaring” - wrong, grossly exaggerated,
excessive confidence3. How language is used.
a. Loaded language - Using specific adjectives to describe a person or idea that you agree or disagree with.
Ownership of the Media●Another source of bias might be the
economics of news.oNews in America is a commodity provided by
the free market.
●American news media are privately-owned businesses.oChains of massive media conglomerates
control most media.oThese conglomerates are entertainment, not
just news, companies.
Ownership of the Media
●All of these
channels are
owned by
one
company.
Ownership of the Media
●Voice of corporate America?oMass media love a good corporate scandal.
●The media are profit-driven businesses.oNews outlets are expected to make a profit,
just like other corporate divisions.oAdvertising revenues depend on drawing a
large audience.
Presenting the News
●Most news coverage today is superficial.o“If it bleeds, it leads.”
See your local news station’s website.
oInfotainment: News presented in entertaining,
rather than thought-provoking, formats. See an example on YouTube:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ThL7ZgFIgtc
Sound Bites●Short video clips, not long segments.oKeeps news programs fast-paced and
interesting.
Copyright © 2009 Pearson Education, Inc. Publishing as Longman.
Horse Race Coverage●Focus on strategy and competition, not
issues.oExciting to political junkies who watch the news.
See figure 9.1 in the
Brief Edition.
Horse Race CoverageHeadlines“Rick Santorum leaving Florida, not race”
- “Electoral meltdown: Where Romney went wrong in South Carolina” Mitt Romney’s stunning loss in South Carolina was as broad-based as his win in the previous primary in New Hampshire, according to exit polls, raising new questions about his ability to reach a wide assortment of voters.
- "Ron Paul sweeping the GOP youth vote" Many Paul supporters come to the campaign with no experience and no idea how to organize. "Who do I know that's a Ron Paul supporter that isn't young?
- “Why Newt Gingrich needs to win Florida”
Dean’s Scream/Perry's Oops
●It made good television.oThe media shows stories that people will watch.
oPeople like to see politicians look like fools.
oThe media took advantage because it would
increase ratings and thereby increase
advertising revenue.
American Media and Democracy
●Is the media the “watchdog of
democracy”?oNews provides more entertainment than information.
oThe media gives the people what they want, not what is good
for them.oDifferent types of stories
Routine: regularly covered Feature: public events, not always covered Insider: not public stories
Effective communication through media is key to political success
Media Events: events purposely staged for the media that nonetheless look spontaneous
- can be staged by almost anybody
Politicians’ appearances and mannerisms more important- Kennedy-Nixon presidential debate
Regulation of the Media
●Federal Communications Committeeocontrols broadcasting of radio and television shows
oradio and television stations must apply for licenses to to broadcast (radio every 7 years, television every 5)
oElections: Equal Time Rule - if a broadcaster sells time to one candidate, it must sell equal time to other candidates
**Internet and blogs have changed news reporting(fact checking, instant info)
Unregulated & no accountability for info found on the web,media regulates itself
Politicians have a love-hate relationship with the media
Press has a great degree of freedom - with great power comes great responsibility - FIA (Freedom of Information Act)
Vs. England (Official Secrets Act - punish official who leaks info to the press)
Vs. France can punish a paper for being critical of the Prez.
Private ownership of media in US (only recently in France)but do need license from the FCC- Problems with media --- profit based and bias
QUESTION: Should the Federal Government regulate what is on radio and television, even if it
could compromise national security?
Regulation of the Media
●Pentagon Papers, Wikileaks and NSAo Media published information considered to be
compromising US securityoPentagon Papers were information regarding US
involvement in VietnamoWikileaks a series of cables (messages) between
US government officials at Embassies around the world
oSnowden released documents about US spying on its citizens and other countries citizens/politicians
oAll were controversial, but were allowed, even though Federal Government tried to stop them Whistleblower?
Regulation of the Media
●Freedom of Information Act (1966)opage 419oCitizens have the right to inspect all government
records except those containing military, intelligence or trade secrets or revealing private personnel actions
●Movement to change this: so many options today that competition should drive how and what networks broadcast?
The News and Public Opinion
1. Television news can affect what people think is importanta. Agenda-setting effect
2. The media influence the criteria by which the public evaluates political leaders.
3. Some stories or events can be made more important, others less important, depending on their coverage.
The Media’s Agenda-Setting Function
1. Policy Agendaa. The issues that attract the serious attention of public
official and other people actively involved in politics at the time
2. Policy Entrepreneursa. People who invest their political “capital” in an issue to
get it placed high on governmental agendab. Use media to raise awareness of issue
The Changing Media:Where do you get the news?
Link1Link 2
WARM UPWhere do you get your news. Your options:
TelevisionNewspapers
InternetRadio
Talking to peopleMagazines
UnsureAP Gov...
Where do you get the news?
Summary1. Media shape public opinion on political issues and
influence policy agenda.
2. Broadcast media have replaced print media over time.
3. Narrowcasting and the internet are further shifting media
4. Seeking profits, media are biased in favor of stories with high drama