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Rules Governing the Media. Wilson 12B. Prior Restraint. C ensorship of information First Amendment right Almost always upheld by the courts Newspapers sued for libel, obscenity Electronic media regulated through licensing Near v. Minnesota NY Times v. Sullivan Miami Herald v. Tornillo.
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Rules Governing the Media Wilson 12B
Prior Restraint • Censorship of information • First Amendment right • Almost always upheld by the courts • Newspapers sued for libel, obscenity • Electronic media regulated through licensing Near v. Minnesota NY Times v. Sullivan Miami Herald v. Tornillo
Confidentiality • Reporters want to protect sources • Prosecution needs to collect evidence • Myron Farber • Judith Miller • Pentagon Papers
Deregulation • Easy to renew license • Consolidated ownership • Fairness Doctrine • One-sided “news” programming • Controversial (political right) • Equal Time Doctrine • Access for all candidates • Lower prices for airtime • Debate rules
National media bias • Public views: • liberal, secular, materialistic • Talk radio • why conservative? • commercial ratings • more people identify • reject major media outlets • liberal cleavages • Most try to be neutral and objective • not editorials
Studies of bias • choice of feature stories • Generalizations about politicians • Sources and quotes • Spin on economic circumstances Types of stories routine – covers major events, factual feature – not regularly covered, reporter effort and bias insider – secrets, leaks, political influence
influence • Trial balloon – intentional leaks to test public reaction • Loaded language – words that imply value judgment • Selective attention – following news that agrees with me • Endorsements may help incumbents • Decide what policy issues are important • Candidates believe media has great influence • Personal experience limits influence
Essay question • To what degree do you believe the politics of members of the news media influence their reporting? • What should be done to avoid this bias?