The impact of media on government and media Bias

1. Chapter 10: Wilson AP Government and Politics The impact of media on government and media Bias • Homework: • Study for Unit III Multiple Choice Test • Unit III Quiz due Monday

2. What effect does media have on public/government? • Likely there is some; tough to know how much • Selective attention hurts ability to have an impact • TV/Radio often correlate with issues the public finds “important”

3. News bias? • Pew poll

4. News bias? • Popular belief is that most news has a liberal slant • Probably true that most reporters tend to be more liberal • National more liberal than local • Other factors influence stories, however • Attract an audience, professional obligations, source development and retention • Types of stories • Routine – obvious, little slant • Feature – more in-depth, editors decisions • Insider – again, selected

7. Leaks • The purposeful or accidental disclosure of otherwise secret or nascent information • Why? • Separation of powers creates competition and desire to lessen image of others • Press and politicians distrust each other – adversarial press • “Float” a particular policy or political idea to gauge reaction of public • “Whistleblower”