Chapter 6 Notes - Eudora Schools
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Chapter 6
THE MEDIA
Learning Outcomes 6.1 Trace the evolution of the mass media in the United States and evaluate the impact of new technologies on journalism. 6.2 Evaluate the effect of privately owned mass media on the quality of political communication in the United States. 6.3 Follow the evolution of government regulation of the media and identify the challenges that new media technologies present to existing regulations. Copyright © 2014 Cengage Learning
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Learning Outcomes 6.4 Analyze the role of the media in political socialization and the acquisition of political knowledge. 6.5 Assess the impact of the media on democratic values and politics in the United States.
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The Development of the Mass Media in the United States
Mass Communication Transmitting information to large, heterogeneous, widely dispersed audience
Mass media Means for communicating Print media Broadcast media
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The Development of the Mass Media in the United States
Post-Broadcast Age Interactivity of Internet creates two-way flow of information From government to citizens From citizens to government
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The Development of Mass Media in the United States
Political Uses of Prominent Mass Media Newspapers, magazines, radio, television, Internet
Political Content Also Transmitted Via Recordings, motion pictures
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The Development of the Mass Media in the United States
Newspapers First U.S. newspapers: small circulations, political organs 1830s: independent ownership, large circulations 1880s: large cities had many newspapers 1960s: Competition nearly disappeared under pressure from radio and TV 2000s: Circulation declined but readership up (online) Copyright © 2014 Cengage Learning
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The Development of the Mass Media in the United States
Magazines More specialized than newspapers, less frequent publication Magazines can wield political power Attentive policy elites Influence mass opinion through two-step flow of communication
Like newspapers, circulation has declined
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The Development of the Mass Media in the United States
Radio 1920: regular, scheduled, continuous broadcasting began Americans quick to purchase and use radios Nearly15,000 licensed stations today 9 out of 10 Americans listen to AM/FM radio News and talk radio formats popular Talk radio criticized for polarizing politics by publicizing extreme views
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Watching the President on Television
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The Development of the Mass Media in the United States
Television 1940: 23 TV stations in U.S. 1951: first coast-to-coast broadcast By 2012, in the U.S.:
1,300+ commercial and 300 public stations 97% of homes have at least one TV Three broadcast networks have large audiences Millions of viewers drifted to cable networks
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Laugh and Learn
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The Development of the Mass Media in the United States
Internet 1969: ARPANET – 4 universities connected 1972: 37 Universities Connected 1983: networks linked and Internet created Used mainly for e-mail among researchers
1991: World Wide Web (WWW) created by European physicists 1993: only 50 websites Today: 500 million websites Over 80% of Americans use Internet Copyright © 2014 Cengage Learning
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The Development of the Mass Media in the United States
Internet Internet incorporated into politics Virtually every government agency and political organization has a website
Private citizens: politics and public affairs Operate websites and blogs 12 Percent of Internet users have a blog; 35 percent discuss politics Only 11 percent of Americans read political blogs
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Private Ownership of the Media
Private Ownership of Media Taken for Granted in U.S. Only 300 of 1600 TV stations are public Only 900 of 15,000+ radio stations are public
Some Governments Control News Flow China: Internet police prevent “subversive content” Some Western democracies: print media privately owned but not broadcast media Copyright © 2014 Cengage Learning
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Tank Man’s Fans
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Private Ownership of the Media
Consequences of Private Ownership Private ownership results in: More political freedom Dependence on advertising revenues Need for audience appeal Newsworthiness: degree to which news is important enough to be covered Market-Driven Journalism: news and commercials geared to target audience Infotainment: “soft news” Copyright © 2014 Cengage Learning
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Private Ownership of the Media
Concentration of Private Ownership Trend towards concentrated ownership Concern over increasing risk of owners controlling news flow to promote their own interests Ownership sometimes extends across different media Propose nonprofit news organizations
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Government Regulation of the Media
Technical and Ownership Regulations Federal Radio Act (1927) Federal Communications Act (1934) established Federal Communications Commission (FCC) Independent federal commission regulates interstate and international communications Sets social, economic, and technical goals for industry
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Government Regulation of the Media
Technical and Ownership Regulations Telecommunications Act (1996) Relaxed ownership rules Allowed phone companies to compete and sell TV services
Internet regulation FCC does not have jurisdiction to regulate content
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Government Regulation of Media
Regulation of Content First Amendment prohibits Congress from abridging freedom of press FCC regulates content to serve public interest Fairness Doctrine (repealed In 1987) Equal Opportunities Rule Reasonable Access Rule Repeal allowed more ideological, controversial and partisan coverage Copyright © 2014 Cengage Learning
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Functions of the Mass Media for the Political System
Four Specific Functions Mass Media Serve for the Political System
Reporting the news Interpreting the news Setting the agenda for government action Socializing citizens about politics
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Functions of the Mass Media for the Political System Reporting the News 5000 journalists in congressional press corps Press has special access to president News comes from: Press releases and congressional reports Live coverage: C-SPAN broadcasts House and Senate Information leaks by officials Copyright © 2014 Cengage Learning
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Functions of the Mass Media for the Political System
Interpreting and Presenting the News
Gatekeepers Horse race journalism Media event Where the public gets its news
Newspaper most important source until 1960s TV dominant source since 1960s Radio and Internet Public consults multiple sources throughout the day Copyright © 2014 Cengage Learning
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Functions of the Mass Media for the Political System
Interpreting and Presenting the News Media influence on knowledge and opinions 80% of public read or hear news each day but do not retain much political information Television hypothesis: TV to blame for low level of citizens’ knowledge about public affairs TV may: Contribute little to citizens’ knowledge of public affairs Discourage respect for different opinions Lead people to be less trusting of government Copyright © 2014 Cengage Learning
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Functions of the Mass Media for the Political System
Interpreting and Presenting the News Media influence on knowledge and opinions Media coverage can exacerbate/diminish socioeconomic differences in political knowledge Contextual information reduces knowledge gaps among users of both print and TV news Soft news can improve political knowledge 9 out of 10 Americans believe media strongly influences public opinion
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Functions of the Mass Media for the Political System
Setting the Political Agenda Political agenda
Media’s greatest influence on politics Issues not on agenda will not get political attention Media can force government to address issues Some issues disproportionately covered
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Functions of the Mass Media for the Political System
Setting the Political Agenda Political agenda Public also influences media coverage Indirect means to influence political elites Politicians eager to influence media coverage
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Obama Messes with Texas
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Functions of the Mass Media for the Political System
Socializing the Citizenry Mass media important agent of political socialization Young people politically socialized via media’s entertainment function Media play contradictory roles in political socialization Promote popular support for government Erode public confidence
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Evaluating the Media in Government
Is Reporting Biased? News is filtered through ideologies of media owners, editors, and reporters Reporters criticized for liberal bias Wealthy, conservative media owners suspected of manipulating content What is covered and what is not – seen as bias
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Evaluating the Media in Government
Is Reporting Biased? Incumbents receive more news coverage than challengers Political bias in coverage can depend on the party in power Bias in reporting not limited to election campaigns Different media may reflect different understanding of political issues
Availability and variety of media sources and coverage puts pressure on citizens to judge information
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Evaluating the Media in Government
Contributions to Democracy Political communication in U.S. Goes from government to citizens by passing through media Watchdog journalism Mass media transmits information from citizens to government as well
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Evaluating the Media in Government
Contributions to Democracy Press reflects public opinion and often creates it Defines news and suggests courses of government action Opinion poll research confirms public opinion influences policy Majoritarian model of democracy
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Evaluating the Media in Government
Effects on Freedom, Order, and Equality Media plays important role in advancing equality Media offers disadvantaged groups opportunity to gain place on political agenda (i.e. DREAM Act)
Freedom of the press Journalists resist government attempts to infringe on freedom of the press to promote order Public support of freedom of press waivers
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