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The Media

The Media. What is meant by the Media?. News organizations and journalists of either the print (newspapers, magazines), broadcast (TV, radio), or internet (websites, newsfeeds, blogs). Views of the Media. Libertarian View Social Responsibility Theory Agenda setting prevails.

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The Media

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  1. The Media

  2. What is meant by the Media? • News organizations and journalists of either the print (newspapers, magazines), broadcast (TV, radio), or internet (websites, newsfeeds, blogs)

  3. Views of the Media • Libertarian View • Social Responsibility Theory • Agenda setting prevails

  4. Media provide linkage • A link between the masses & government • “Pseudo-Events” • Appear spontaneous, but are scripted for appeal • Groundbreakings, school ceremonies

  5. Media as a Watchdog • The media has a watchdog role as the “eyes and ears of the world” • Fact-Checking • Investigative reporting • “Muckraking” • Exposing societal ills such as corruption • Upton Sinclair’s, The Jungle • Watergate • Abu Ghraib

  6. Media as a Watchdog • Media are often controlled by the government

  7. News Agency of the Republic of Iran (IRNA) The national Police chief has verified confiscation of a number of squirrels, equipped with eavesdropping devices, on the Iraqi border. Reportedly, when asked about the confiscation of 14 spy squirrels, he stated, “I have heard about it, but I do not have precise information”. IRNA adds, “These squirrels were equipped by foreign intelligence services, but were captured two weeks ago by the Police”.

  8. Media as a Watchdog • Media are often controlled by the government • What about the U.S.?

  9. The Media in campaigns • Determining “front-running candidates” • Charging for advertising • Televising debates • Portraying charismatic politicians as more “electable”

  10. Mass Media • “For it seems more certain now than ever that the bloody experience of Vietnam is to end in a stalemate”-Walter Cronkite, February 1968 • “That’s it. If I’ve lost Cronkite, I’ve lost middle America” -President Johnson

  11. Brief history of print media • First newspaper: Boston News-Letter, April 1704 • Revolutionary War • Federalist Papers • 1833, advent of the penny press • 1837 – Telegraph invented • 1848, creation of the Associated Press • Yellow journalism • Centralization of ownership of newspapers in early 20th century has continued • Print newspapers are QUICKLY dying out

  12. History of the Mass Media: Radio • Radio Act of 1927 • Established the airwaves as a public good, subject to governmental oversight • The Federal Communications Commission (1934) • Fairness Doctrine (1940s)

  13. History of the Mass Media: Television • Unlike newspapers and radio stations, high costs dictated that almost from the beginning, TV stations were affiliated with networks, thus centralizing ownership • Ratings /profit driven, particularly cable • 24-hours news explodes during the 1990s

  14. The Internet • A revolution for politics • Broadcasting is essentially free • Not a large audience, but a gigantic potential audience • Direct channel between parties/candidates and citizens

  15. Media Bias • The Media IS UNDENIABLY biased • They do not randomly select what they cover • They choose when/where/how long to cover it • What about liberal v. conservative? • Often unclear, even with specific news outlets • Investigators carry own biases

  16. Media Bias • General Trends • Ethno-centric foreign affairs coverage • Dependent on official sources • Incumbents not challenged as often • Negativity and Scandal given much greater attention

  17. A Closing Note • Stewart on Crossfire

  18. Chapters covered on the Exam • Federalism • Public Opinion/Interest • Elections • Parties • Interest Groups • Media

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