The Media

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The Media

• Chapter 10

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General Motors Activity

• Entertainment
• Write a TV show segment about GM cars
• Reporting the news
• Write a TV news segment about the closing of a GM
  factory
• Identifying Public Problems
• Write a TV news interview with an expert on fuel
  mileage and GM lack of fuel efficient cars
• Socializing New Generations
• Write a TV show segment showing how owning a car
  is a very American thing to do
• Providing a Political Forum
• Write a TV news segment showing GM auto workers
  demanding more benefits
• Making Profits
• Write a commercial for GM cars

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Functions of Media

• Entertainment
• TMZ, SNL, Shows, etc.
• Reporting the News (primary function)
• Local News, All-day News (Fox, CNN)
• Identifying Public Problems (investigative)
• Corruption, use of tax dollars
• Socializing New Generations (can this be
  politically motivated?is it biased?)
• What issues are important?
• Providing a Political Forum
• Debates, Interviews
• Making Profits - commercials (how do you increase
  corporate supportratings)

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History of the Media in U.S.

• The Rise of Political Press (printed material,
  cartoons)
• Mass-Readership Newspapers
• High-speed rotary press produce more papers to
  sell
• Telegraph obtain information for stories faster
• As cities grow larger more people to sell to
• Economy grows more stories and interests

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History of the Media in U.S.

• Popular Press and Yellow Journalism
• What is Yellow Journalism? Examples?
• What is a muckraker? Examples?
• Can you believe everything you read?
• Electromagnetic Signal development of radio and
  television
• Radio becomes very popular in the 1920s
• TV becomes very popular in the 1950s

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History of the Media in U.S.

• The Revolution of Electronic Media (Cable TV)
• Broadcasting - data is transmitted everywhere
• Narrowcasting - data is transmitted to a specific
  list of recipients
• Examples?
• Viewers tend to tune in to issues that already
  support their beliefs
• Talk Show Politics Internet Broadcasting
• Increases political extremism

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History of the Media in U.S.

• Internet, blogging, and podcasting
• Whats credible?
• Pros and cons?
• Impact on Politics?

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The Importance of Television

• In 1963, only 11 minutes were devoted to national
  news (today, its up to 3 hours)
• Does that mean that more people know whats going
  on?

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Influence of TV on the Political Process

• Often criticized for being too superficial (does
  not focus enough on the issues)
• Ex. Sarah Palins teenage daughter was pregnant
  during the 2008 campaign
• Other examples?
• Candidate-centered (news focuses on the
  candidateappearance, image, etc.)
• Issue-centered (news focuses on the issues)
• Media-centered (whats going to bring in ratings)

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Influence of TV on the Political Process

• Political figures plan public appearances
• Designed to appear spontaneous
• Leaks to the media
• 3 types of TV coverage employed by a campaign
• Advertising (positive and/or negative)
• Management of News Coverage (free)
• Developing a good working relationship with
  reporters
• Convincing media to put the right spin on a
  story
• Political Debates (incumbents do NOT likewhy?)
• Most campaigns are now adding an Internet
  Campaign Strategist

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Creating a Visual Response to an FRQ
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What impact does the Media have on voters?

• Most viewers pay selective attention
• Focus on coverage that confirms their own beliefs
• Media focuses on horse-race aspect
• Whos leading in the polls?
• Limits coverage of the actual issues

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What impact does the Media have on voters?

• Media has 3 major roles
• Gatekeeper (what are the issues)
• Scorekeeper (keeps track of reputation)
• Watchdog (close scrutiny of candidates)

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Rules Governing the Media

• Confidentiality of Sources
• Regulating Broadcasting
• FCC has more control over broadcast media than
  media

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Rules Governing the Media

• Equal Time Rule
• Right-of Reply Rule
• Political Editorializing Rule
• Fairness Doctrine
• Should their be regulation?

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Prepare for Class Discussion

• Work in a group of 3 (one group will have 4)
• Draw two talking points.
• Gather information and discuss responses
• 20 - 25 minutes to prepare