SOURCES OF MEDIA POWER

1
SOURCES OF MEDIA POWER

• Newsmaking
• Agenda Setting
• Interpreting
• Socializing
• Persuading

2
The Politics of the Media

• Shaped and Influenced by
• Economic Interest
• Professional Environment
• Ideological Leanings

3
Mediated Elections

• How media shape the nations electoral politics
• Principal link between candidates and voters.
• Influence candidate selection.
• Horse-race coverage.
• Function as campaign watchdogs.
• Political bias?

4
How Media Shape Political Life

• Information and Agenda-Setting
• Values and Opinions
• Affecting Public Opinion
• Reinforcing behavioral tendencies
• Television advertising and the Undecided Voter

5
Politics and the Internet

• A Channel for Interactive Mass Participation in
  Politics.
• Designed to Operate without Central Authority.
• Political Websites Abound.
• Fundraising over the Internet
• Building Political Support
• Attracting volunteers
• Staying in touch with Constituents
• Internet Polling
• Internet Voting?

6
21st Century Directions

• Television is the principal arena of American
  politics.
• Increasing Diversity in sources for political
  information.
• Increased competition may lead to more attack
  journalism.
• Bad-news bias may lead to continuing distrust
  and disillusionment among Americans - leading to
  possible further declines in voter turnout.