1 / 60

The Media and U.S. Politics

Explore the evolution of news media in the U.S., from television to the internet, and its influence on public opinion, elections, and governance. Uncover the role of media as a political tool, its financial independence, and the challenges of regulation. Understand how media shapes public opinion through agenda setting and issue framing, and evaluate biases within media outlets. Delve into the power of media in political socialization and party identification.

suazo
Download Presentation

The Media and U.S. Politics

An Image/Link below is provided (as is) to download presentation Download Policy: Content on the Website is provided to you AS IS for your information and personal use and may not be sold / licensed / shared on other websites without getting consent from its author. Content is provided to you AS IS for your information and personal use only. Download presentation by click this link. While downloading, if for some reason you are not able to download a presentation, the publisher may have deleted the file from their server. During download, if you can't get a presentation, the file might be deleted by the publisher.

E N D

Presentation Transcript

  1. 9 The Media and U.S. Politics

  2. 9 9 Learning Objectives Describe changes in the nature and extent of the political influence of the various news media 9.1 Trace the evolution of the news media over the course of U.S. history 9.2

  3. 9 9 Learning Objectives Evaluate the media’s influence on public opinion and attention 9.3 Describe the media’s role in elections and the associated problems and benefits 9.4

  4. 9 Learning Objectives Assess the media’s relationship to governance in the United States 9.5

  5. The Influence of the Media on Politics 9.1 • The Pervasiveness of Television • The Persistence of Radio • The Declining Importance of Newspapers • and Newsmagazines • The Growing Popularity of the Internet

  6. TV changed politics forever Instant access to news and events 24/7 news cycle 9.1 The Pervasiveness of Television

  7. 9.1 Television in Times Square

  8. TV’s influence has changed over time Less time spent on reporting politics Increases in political advertising Issues Candidates 9.1 The Pervasiveness of Television

  9. Reaches more households than TV “Drive-time” news radio Radio as a campaign tool Distinctive radio audiences Micro-targeting specific groups National Public Radio (NPR) 9.1 The Persistence of Radio

  10. Decline in circulation over past 20 years Fewer young people read newspapers 9.1 The Declining Importance of Newspapers and Newsmagazines

  11. 9.1 New York Times on a tablet

  12. Impact of the Internet Provides news for free Provides advertising alternatives ($) Newsmagazines affected similarly 9.1 The Declining Importance of Newspapers and Newsmagazines

  13. 9.1 The Growing Popularity of the Internet • As a primary news source • Increasing among young Americans and Internet users • Political value • Allows people to interact with politicians and others • Allows candidates to communicate messages, ideas • Social networking

  14. 9.1 9.1Which news source has seen the greatest decline in importance? • Radio • Television • Internet • Newspapers

  15. 9.1 9.1Which news source has seen the greatest decline in importance? • Radio • Television • Internet • Newspapers

  16. The Changing Role of the U.S. News Media 9.2 • A Political Tool • Financial Independence • “Objective Journalism” • The Impact of Broadcasting • Investigatory Journalism • Media Consolidation • Regulation of the Media

  17. A Political Tool Freedom of the press Watchdog of government Voice of the party Newspapers retain identification with political parties 9.2

  18. Financial Independence Shift in appeal to growing population Less-educated readership Increasing political participation Changes in newspaper financing “Penny press” Changes in content Addition of nonpolitical news content 9.2

  19. “Objective Journalism” Reaction to sensationalism “Yellow journalism” 9.2

  20. 9.2 Yellow journalism

  21. “Objective Journalism” Increasing professionalism Professional associations Code of ethics Rise of wire services Political neutrality 9.2

  22. The Impact of Broadcasting Radio Nationalized and personalized the news Increased access to information Used by politicians at outset FDR – “Fireside Chats” 9.2

  23. 9.2 FDR

  24. The Impact of Broadcasting Television Dramatic, visual, and immediate Expansion of news broadcasting Cable TV and the 24/7 news cycle 9.2

  25. Investigatory Journalism News investigations often have political consequences Iraqi prisoners WikiLeaks Watergate Washington Post reporting brings down Nixon White House 9.2

  26. Media Consolidation Regional media Local ownership Cross-ownership patterns Early TV stations often owned by radio, newspaper corporations Rupert Murdoch and Fox Trending toward conglomeration Courts, FCC, and deregulation 9.2

  27. 9.2 Sean Hannity

  28. Regulation of the Media Government oversight of broadcast media through the FCC Licensing Financing Regulation of content Content restriction challenges under First Amendment 9.2

  29. 9.2 9.2Which president became known for his “fireside chats”? • Thomas Jefferson • Andrew Jackson • Richard Nixon • Franklin Roosevelt

  30. 9.2 9.2Which president became known for his “fireside chats”? • Thomas Jefferson • Andrew Jackson • Richard Nixon • Franklin Roosevelt

  31. The Media and Public Opinion 9.3 • Agenda Setting • Issue Framing

  32. 9.3

  33. The Media and Public Opinion 9.3 • Are the Media Biased? • Factors That Limit Media Influence

  34. Media determine what topics will become subjects of public debate Media provide means to “spin” message Referendum campaigns The side that defines what the referendum is about, wins 9.3 Agenda Setting and Issue Framing

  35. Most U.S. news media are committed to being unbiased Separation of news and business operations Conservative criticisms Journalists tend to be more liberal Liberal criticisms Corporate ownership leads to undue influence given to conservative issues 9.3 Are the Media Biased?

  36. 9.3 TABLE 9.1: Partisanship and ideology of journalists, policy makers, and the public

  37. Factors That Limit Media Influence Political socialization Party identification Peer pressure Selectivity Needs 9.3

  38. 9.3 FIGURE 9.1: Partisanship and preferred news source

  39. Factors That Limit Media Influence Audience fragmentation 9.3

  40. 9.3 FIGURE 9.2: Partisanship and news source credibility

  41. 9.3 9.3Which of the following limits the influence of media? • Selectivity • Political socialization • Audience fragmentation • All of the above

  42. 9.3 9.3Which of the following limits the influence of media? • Selectivity • Political socialization • Audience fragmentation • All of the above

  43. The Media and Elections 9.4 • Choice of Candidates • Campaign Events • Technology • Image Making and Media Consultants • Impact on Voter Choice

  44. TV influences public perception of what is important in a candidate Role of physical appearance Media determines how much attention candidates receive 9.4 Choice of Candidates

  45. Campaign Events Place candidate in settings that reinforce message and image Press conferences Interviews “Photo ops” 9.4

  46. 9.4 Obama campaign stop

  47. 9.4 Romney campaign stop

  48. Campaign Events Media may shun “staged” events National party convention coverage 9.4

  49. Technology Candidates Reinforce voter preferences Extend reach through Internet and social media The public Online interaction on political topics “Town meetings” Blogs 9.4

More Related