Media and Propaganda

1. Media and Propaganda

2. Essential Question To what extent do the media influence your political views?

3. What details do you see? • According to the poster, why should people vote for Stevenson? • To whom is this poster designed to appeal? • Could this actually influence people’s views in an election? • What other kinds of political media messages have you been exposed to? Did they have any influence on your political views?

4. Political Socialization • The opinions you may have on political issues tend to be shaped by deeply held political beliefs and values. The formation of these beliefs and values begins early in life and continues throughout adulthood. • “socialize” an individual means to teach that person to be a fit member of society • Many agents, or forces, play a part in political socialization • They include family, schools, religion, friends, and the mass media • Historical events are another important factor

5. List six forces that shape political socialization. Rank them in order from 1 (most influence on my political socialization) to 6 (least influence). For the top two items on your list, briefly explain why they have influenced your political socialization.

6. Public Opinion: sum of many individual opinions about a public person or issue • Special interest groups • Journalists, politicians and opinion makers • What politicians say it is Public Opinion as Guide, Guard, and Glue Public opinion serves our democratic system of government in three key ways • it guides leaders as they make decisions about public policy [Whether conveyed through opinion polls, town hall meetings, letters, or e-mails, public opinion helps politicians know what their constituents are thinking] • Public opinion also serves as guard against hasty or poorly understood decisions • public opinion serves as a kind of glue in a diverse society like ours

7. Role of the Media the news media—old and new—have three essential roles in a democracy: • serving as a “watch-dog” over the government • setting the public agenda • supporting the free exchange of ideas, information, and opinions -”talking heads”

8. Changing Sources

9. Media Bias • most professional journalists strive to be fair and unbiased in their reporting • most news media outlets are businesses • Journalists look at many factors in choosing what stories to cover. One is impact. A second is conflict, preferably mixed with violence. A third factor is novelty. A fourth is familiarity. • “If it bleeds, it leads.”

10. Pew Research Center

11. Fake News Fake News: How to Spot It video

12. Persuasive Techniques Used in Political Advertising • Name calling • Transfer • Bandwagon • Testimonial • Card-stacking • Plain folks • Glittering Generalities

13. Name Calling • The use of derogatory or negative words. It is hoped that the audience will accept the connection without investigating the evidence • Ex: fascist, terrorist, radical, ect.

14. Transfer • Also known as association. • When the propagandist transfers the importance, power or approval of something. This can be positive or negative. • Ex: an American flag behind the politician

15. Bandwagon • Everyone is doing it and so should you! • Appeals for people to join the masses • Ex: peer pressure, buying a product

16. Testimonial • The recommendation or endorsement of something by a person whose opinion is valued • Ex: celebrity endorsements for political candidates, infomercials

17. Card Stacking • Manipulating information to make a product appear better than it is often by unfair comparison or omitting facts. • Presenting ONLY the good • Ex: Mac v. PC, branding

18. Plain Folks • Appealing to regular people's values like family, patriotism • To convince the public you are working for the “common man” • Ex: President visiting a church, “average Joe”

19. Glittering Generalities • Vague, flashy claims • “glittery and sparkly” words • Ex: fresh, organic, local