The Media's Role in Informing the Public

2. The Mass Media • Mass media – all the means for communicating any information to the general public. • Role of Media • clarify stories, alert the public to issues, and uncover problems (Government watchdog). • Types of Media • Hard news – written by reporters – share facts • Commentary – analysis of news + opinions • Features – take a deeper look into a topic. • Digital Age • Decline in “journalists” – trained professionals • Internet allows for amateur journalists • The media can make information public without making it official • “Fake News” • Journalists see their job as informing the public, not passing along politicians’ messages.

4. Government and Media • Electors vs. Journalists • Officials use the media to pass along information to the voters • Journalists want to inform the public • Executive branch leaders • Use the media to gain support • News releases, news briefings • Stories prepared by officials for the press (Press Release) • Gov’t official makes an announcement – allows for questioning (President Press Secretary) • Press Conference • Media and a high level government official – questions are often limited • Officials try to influence the flow of information to the press through leaks or media events. • Release of secret information • Visually interesting event designed to reinforce a politician’s position on an issue • Television has greatly influenced presidential campaigns from start to finish • Makes candidates easily accessible to the public; gain exposure for unknown candidates

6. TV and Presidential Elections • TV – allows for the public to see their representatives • “Telegenic – project a pleasing appearance and performance • “look the part” • Nomination process • Horse Race Coverage – treats elections like a sporting event • Front-runner – early leader • Communication • Campaigns • Andrew Jackson – “torchlight era” – stump speeches + parades + entertainment • 1900’s – candidates used newspapers, radio, then in 1952 – TV

7. The Legislative Branch and the Media • Reporters “cover” the government – • Specialize – National, State or Local • Covering Congress • Focus on congressional leaders (Speaker of the House, Minority Leader) • Little attention to individual bills • The media report on controversial hearings as well as significant debates and bills. • C-SPAN (Cable-Satellite Public Affairs Network) • Television has impacted who runs for legislative office. • Recognition • Celebrities, Athletes, Actors, Actresses, Astronauts • Candidates for Congress employ television advertising as a major campaign strategy. • Spot Advertising – brief positive message of the candidate

8. The Judiciary and the Media • Much of the media’s coverage of the judiciary is related to criminal trials. • Public Trial – Media coverage • Media coverage of cases could lead to bias • Sequestered – jury to be isolated from public and media • Case can be moved to a different location – local bias + influence • The Supreme Court and other appellate courts receive less media coverage. • Justices rarely give interviews or discuss cases • Usually rule on laws – not ruling on criminal cases • Covering the courts differs greatly from covering the legislative and executive branches. • Media will report on national issues (Roe v Wade, North Carolina Bathroom Bill, Ohio “Heart Beat Bill.”)

9. Media and the Public Agenda • The mass media play an important role in setting the public agenda. • Social + Political + Environmental Issues • Wars, Terrorism, Health Care, College Education, Drug Epidemic) • The media help determine which political issues the American people and their leaders will be discussing. • Increased exposure = increased governmental action • Media choices on what to cover are impacted by personal views and business considerations. • Audience + Ratings • The extent of media coverage influences how important people believe an issue is to the nation.

10. Chapter 20.2Regulating Print &Broadcast Media

11. Media Regulations Timeline

12. Media Protections • Freedom of the press is fundamental to democracy. • Inform the public • Government is transparent and responsible • The First Amendment protects the print media from prior restraint but not from libel. • Prior Restraint – Gov’t censorship before publication • Libel – False written statements intended to damage a person’s reputation • Defamation – false expression that injures a person’s reputation • Freedom of Information Act - FOIA, passed in 1966, provides public access to most information. • Requires federal agencies to release files to the public • Not if National Security is at stake • The courts have not granted the press special rights of access beyond public access. • Most states have shield laws to protect reporters from having to reveal their sources.

13. Freedom of Information Act • Requires federal agencies to release files to the public, unless the material falls into certain exceptions for national security or other confidential information. • Extremely important because a free and independent press can provide citizens with a variety of information and opinions about government polices. • Protecting Sources – • Reporters need secret information + people want to remain anonymous • Shield Law – a state law that protects reporters from having to reveal their sources • Private Protection Act – 1980 – prevents all level of government from searching + seizing source documentation

15. Regulating Media • Goal: Government Regulations provide order, fairness and access to the mass media • Most media is private • Government has more power to regulate broadcast media (public airways) • Federal Communication Commission (FCC) • Gov’t agency with authority to regulate communication • Radio, TV, telephone, cable and satellite • Grant licenses to companies • Serve the public interest • The fairness doctrine • Rule that required broadcastings to provide opportunities for the expression of opposing views on issues of public importance • was used until 1987, when it was deemed unnecessary. • Multiple media outlets provide different view points (EX: Fox News + MSNBC) • Originally, the FCC set rules over the concentration of media ownership. • Set fines, limit obscene programming to certain hours, sets rules for broadcasters • The Telecommunications Act of 1996 ended or relaxed many FCC limits on media ownership. • Company cannot own 35% of TV shows

16. Media and National Security • Informing the public vs. Protecting the Nation • National security issues often create tension between the media and the government. • New York Times vs. United States – Pentagon Papers (how America became involved in the Vietnam War) • National Security vs. 1st Amendment Rights • The government classifies some information as secret and limits press coverage of military actions. • Embedded Journalists – journalists who follow troops during war • Government restriction on media coverage during wartime has varied. • Vietnam – Full media coverage • War in Iraq – only 500 allowed • Periodic leaks of secret information pit the government against the press. • WikiLeaks – information about the Iraq + Afghanistan Wars • NSA – National Security Agency – 2013- US Government was spying on citizens • Edward Snowden

17. 20.3 Internet and Democracy

18. Civic Participation and Digital Media • Public interaction with Government • Telephones + Letters • Now: Internet and Social Media • 2012 – 40% of Americans participated in political surveys/posts online • Internet and Political Participation • Does Social Media enhance civic participation? • 20% of social media users are motivated to participate in their community • 3x as likely to discuss political affairs in person

19. Internet and Civic Participation • The Internet allows citizens to more easily participate in politics and government. • Blog – personal “web log” or online journal • The Internet provides easy access to information about government and politics. • Electronic petition – asks recipient to “sign” name electronically to a request to be sent to an official • All levels of government now provide services and information over the Internet. • Electronic mailing list – an automated e –mail notification that provides subscribers with current information on a topic • The Internet has become a powerful tool for citizen activism. • Blogs, gather information, access federal and state government websites, communicate directly with government officials • Presidential campaigns have begun to tap online opportunities for advertising and campaigning.

20. Digital Media and Elections • Digital Age and Government • Helps to “connect” politicians to the people • 2012 – Obama and the internet • Encouraged younger voters • Politicians must adapt to technology to reach electors • “Day to day life is happening on the internet, and the political world is just catching up.” • Help America Vote Act – states required to update their voting procedures. • Electronic Voting • Online Voting?

21. Mass Media and New Media • With the Internet, mass media has become interactive rather than unidirectional. • Challenges – rise of news on internet, types of stories people have access to, traditional media is longer delivered • Online publishing produces greater diversity in sources, voices, and viewpoints. • Greater diversity of sources – multiple points of view = more of an educated public • Internet provides instant news + more depth • Change comes to “Reporting” • Anyone can become a reporter • Provide individual input on politics and events • Blogs + Videos • Must be evaluated for accuracy

22. How to Choose your News

23. Public Policy and the Internet • New laws must deal with the impact of the Internet on politics, business, and individuals. • Children’s Internet Protection Act of 2000, FCC Open Internet Order, legislation to prevent employers from requesting passwords to employee’s internet accounts • The FCC’s Open Internet Order supports “net neutrality.” • The ease of access to offensive content on the Internet leads to challenges in protecting children. • The growth of e-commerce has led to controversy over collection of state sales tax. • The sales of goods and services online • Some private digital information is available to law enforcement and private employers.