Transcript Slide 1
The News Media
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Video: The Big Picture
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http://media.pearsoncmg.com/ph/hss/SSA_SHARED_MED
IA_1/polisci/presidency/OConner_Ch14_The_News_Media_
Seg1_v2.html
Learning Objectives
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14.1
Trace the historical development of
the news media in the United States
14.2
Characterize four major trends in
the news media today
Learning Objectives
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14.3
Summarize the ethnical standards
and federal regulations that govern
the news media
14.4
Assess how the news media cover
politics
Learning Objectives
14.5
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Evaluate the influence of the news
media on public policy and the
impact of media bias
Video: The Basics
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http://media.pearsoncmg.com/ph/hss/SSA_SHARED_MED
IA_1/polisci/presidency/Seg2_Media_v2.html
Roots of the News Media in
the United States
Print Media
Radio News
TV News
Online Media
14.1
Video: In Context
14.1
http://media.pearsoncmg.com/ph/hss/SSA_SHARED_MED
IA_1/polisci/presidency/Seg3_Media_v2.html
Print Media
First colonial newspapers printed 1690
Value of free press recognized early
Penny press
New York Sun
Sensational and scandalous
Payoffs common
Yellow journalism
Muckraking
Exposing misconduct
14.1
14.1
Did the practice of yellow journalism
contribute to the rise of objective journalism?
Radio News
Center of home life
FDR’s “fireside chats”
Displaced by TV in 1950s
AM talk radio
No talk radio for liberals, NPR not biased
14.1
TV News
Gradually replaced print and radio
By 2011, most receive news from TV or Internet
Network v. cable news
Fox News most popular
C-SPAN
14.1
Online Media
The Internet
Main news source for 41%
Lack of credibility, standards
Blogs
Editorial news outlet
Social media
Political debate
Reach and engage citizens
14.1
14.1 How do most Americans get
their news today?
a. Internet
b. Newspapers
c. Television
d. Radio
14.1
14.1 How do most Americans get
their news today?
a. Internet
b. Newspapers
c. Television
d. Radio
14.1
Explore the Media: Where Do
You Get Your Political News?
14.1
http://media.pearsoncmg.com/long/long_oconnor_mpslag
_12/pex/pex14.html
Current News Media Trends
Corporate Ownership and Media
Consolidation
Narrowcasting
Infotainment
Increasing Use of Experts
Citizen Journalists
14.2
Corporate Ownership and
Media Consolidation
Private ownership = independence
For-profit business
Pressure to consolidate, eliminate competition
Risks of consolidation
Limit flow of information
Focus on what sells
Please advertisers
14.2
Narrowcasting
Targeting specific populations
News audiences divided along partisan
lines
Appeals to preexisting views
14.2
TABLE 14.1: How do media outlets relate to
party affiliation?
14.2
Infotainment
Blending information and entertainment
Political leaders use these shows
Reach larger audiences
Humanize politician
Audience sophistication matters
14.2
Increasing Use of Experts
Talking heads fill airtime
Who are these experts?
Officials, consultants, former
politicians, academics, etc.
Influence on the public
Lack of objectivity
Weaken democratic deliberation
14.2
How do experts influence news coverage?
14.2
Citizen Journalists
Ordinary individuals
Collect, report, and analyze
Post content not covered
Provide on the scene coverage
Cheaper than hiring reporters
Problems with amateur reporting
Lack of objectivity
Quality varies
14.2
14.2 Which of the following is a
pitfall of corporate ownership and
consolidation of news media?
a. Focus on sensationalism
b. Pleasing advertisers is a priority
c. Profit drives all decisions
d. All of the above
14.2
14.2 Which of the following is a
pitfall of corporate ownership and
consolidation of news media?
a. Focus on sensationalism
b. Pleasing advertisers is a priority
c. Profit drives all decisions
d. All of the above
14.2
Rules Governing the News
Media
Journalistic Standards
Government Regulations
14.3
Journalistic Standards
Professional norms and integrity
Code of Ethics
Avoiding conflicts of interest
Verifying information
Dealing with sources
On/off the record
On/deep background
14.3
How do journalists use information
obtained on deep background?
14.3
Government Regulations
14.3
Libel and slander are illegal
Prior restraint
New York Times v. U.S. (1971)
Electronic media regulated more heavily
Airwaves are public property
Limited supply
Media ownership
Telecommunications Act (1996)
Content
Equal time rule
Video: In the Real World
14.3
http://media.pearsoncmg.com/ph/hss/SSA_SHARED_MED
IA_1/polisci/presidency/Seg5_Media_v2.html
14.3 What type of information
obtained by a journalist cannot be
reported?
a. On the record
b. On background
c. Off the record
d. Deep background
14.3
14.3 What type of information
obtained by a journalist cannot be
reported?
a. On the record
b. On background
c. Off the record
d. Deep background
14.3
Explore the Simulation: You Are
the Newspaper Editor
14.3
http://media.pearsoncmg.com/long/long_longman_media
_1/2013_mpsl_sim/simulation.html?simulaURL=15
How the News Media Cover
Politics
How the Press and Public Figures
Interact
Covering the Presidency
Covering Congress
Covering the Supreme Court
14.4
How the Press and Public
Figures Interact
Press release
Official written document
Press briefing
Press secretary represents official
Q&A on specific topic
Press conference
General Q&A with official
14.4
Covering the Presidency
Receives most media coverage
Prestigious post for a reporter
Daily Q&A with press secretary
14.4
Covering Congress
Logistical challenge
535 members
Focus on party leaders
Majority and minority leaders in both houses
Whips
Key committee chairs
Coverage is negative
Focus on scandals and conflict
14.4
Covering the Supreme Court
Media vacuum
TV cameras not permitted
Few reporters cover Court
Complex legal issues harder to present
Justices rarely grant interviews
14.4
How does the media cover the Supreme
Court?
14.4
14.4 Why is coverage of the Supreme
Court limited?
a. No public interest in Court proceedings
b. Justices impose gag rule on printing
information about pending cases
c. Constitution forbids covering Court
d. TV cameras not allowed in
14.4
14.4 Why is coverage of the Supreme
Court limited?
a. No public interest in Court proceedings
b. Justices impose gag rule on printing
information about pending cases
c. Constitution forbids covering Court
d. TV cameras not allowed in
14.4
Toward Reform: News Media,
Influence, News Media Bias,
and Public Confidence
News Media Influence
News Media Bias
Public Confidence
14.5
News Media Influence
Media effects
Influencing public opinion
Agenda setting
Influence issues addressed by government
Framing
How an issue is portrayed affects how it is perceived
Greater influence on foreign policy
Less personal experience
14.5
Video: Thinking Like a
Political Scientist
14.5
http://media.pearsoncmg.com/ph/hss/SSA_SHARED_MED
IA_1/polisci/presidency/Seg4_Media_v2.html
News Media Bias
Journalists are biased
Values, preferences, attitudes
How are news media biased
Elite bias
Dramatic bias
News media stardom
14.5
Public Confidence
Assessment unfavorable
Inaccurate
Biased
Rich and powerful influence coverage
Valuable watchdog role
14.5
14.5 How does the media influence
public opinion?
a. Through agenda setting
b. Via issue framing
c. By focusing on the negative
d. All of the above
14.5
14.5 How does the media influence
public opinion?
a. Through agenda setting
b. Via issue framing
c. By focusing on the negative
d. All of the above
14.5
Discussion Question
How have America’s sources of political
information changed throughout U.S.
history? What are some of the
advantages and disadvantages to the
blurring of the lines between news
producer and consumer?
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Video: So What?
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http://media.pearsoncmg.com/ph/hss/SSA_SHARED_MED
IA_1/polisci/presidency/OConner_Ch14_The_News_Media_
Seg6_v2.html
Further Review: On
MyPoliSciLab
Listen to the Chapter
Study and Review the Flashcards
Study and Review the Practice Tests
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