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Media & Politics

Media & Politics What is the function of news in society? Traditional function of news Present a portrait of reality on which the citizen can act First Amendment Congress shall make no law . . . abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press . . . News media as the “Fourth Estate”

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Media & Politics

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  1. Media & Politics

  2. What is the function of news in society?

  3. Traditional function of news • Present a portrait of reality on which the citizen can act

  4. First Amendment Congress shall make no law . . . abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press . . . News media as the “Fourth Estate”

  5. TV and Politics • Americans get 80% of their political information from television • Why might this be problem? • Concerns about the nature of TV news • How do local newscasts differ from national newscasts?

  6. Video “Illusions of News” By Bill Moyers

  7. TV news criticized for • Emphasizing the "horse race" • . . . Conflict & controversy • . . . Ignoring issues • Priorities of coverage • (small news hole)

  8. CELEBRITY POLITICS • Media “treatment” of political campaigns • Superficial focus of coverage • Policy debate v. game of "gotcha"

  9. Media create their own narrative (story) • Action • Dynamism • Drama

  10. Media Critique • TV leads to “celebrity reporting” • Media, rather than candidates or parties set agenda

  11. Greater focus on image (character flaws) • Battle of media metaphors • The frat boy v. the truth stretcher • The _______ v. the _________

  12. Passive public • Products of an entertainment culture • Media both humanize & trivialize the political process • Nation like a film audience that only reads the review

  13. First Amendment • Public support is eroding • Some blame the press itself

  14. Lawrence Grossman • Broadcasters as public trustees of the public airwaves • Shrinking political coverage on network news • Network "profit center" vs "loss leader" • Diminished public service role • What is Grossman's proposal?

  15. Is this news?

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