Chapter 8- The News MediaChapter 8- The News MediaLearning Objectives:Learning Objectives:

• (1). Examine News media's influence on (1). Examine News media's influence on public opinionpublic opinion & the & the political agendapolitical agenda..• (2). Analyze the News Media's relationship with the government.(2). Analyze the News Media's relationship with the government.• (3). Examine how the News Media changes over time, including: (3). Examine how the News Media changes over time, including: journalistic journalistic

conventions, readership & "viewer-shipconventions, readership & "viewer-ship," ," and the changes in and the changes in media ownershipmedia ownership. . • (4). Examine press freedom & its limitations, & discuss (4). Examine press freedom & its limitations, & discuss FOIA FOIA & & pool reportingpool reporting..• (5). Discuss & electronic media & role of & (5). Discuss & electronic media & role of & FCC, FCC, equal time equal time & & fairnessfairness policies. policies.• (6). Examine how news is reported, what makes news, & rules of how it is told. (6). Examine how news is reported, what makes news, & rules of how it is told. • (7). Evaluate the media & determine if it has a "liberal bias" or is just cynical.(7). Evaluate the media & determine if it has a "liberal bias" or is just cynical.• (8). Assess the growing trend of news as entertainment.(8). Assess the growing trend of news as entertainment.• (9). Discuss news media’s role during political campaigns & role of (9). Discuss news media’s role during political campaigns & role of sound bitessound bites..• (10). Assess how well the media reports election results & explain potential impact.(10). Assess how well the media reports election results & explain potential impact.• (11). Analyze the role of (11). Analyze the role of "news leaks""news leaks" in reporting the news. in reporting the news.

Do the News Media Matter?Do the News Media Matter?

• Role of News Media: Role of News Media: – Enable the public to watch over their governmentEnable the public to watch over their government– Why is that important?Why is that important?

• The News Media and Public Opinion:The News Media and Public Opinion:– Key QuestionKey Question::

• How much influenceHow much influence does Media have on Public Opinion? does Media have on Public Opinion?

– Three factors to considerThree factors to consider::• 1. Media’s coverage vs. event itself1. Media’s coverage vs. event itself• 2. Array of Media views and voices2. Array of Media views and voices• 3. Choice of who to listen to3. Choice of who to listen to

So what exactly is the problem?

Difficulty in Determining Media’s Difficulty in Determining Media’s ImpactImpact• Key Challenges:Key Challenges:

– Disentangling the Disentangling the media’s coveragemedia’s coverage with the with the event itselfevent itself challenging at times challenging at times

– Enormous Enormous array of media voicesarray of media voices in the in the United States with United States with conflicting viewsconflicting views

– Vast Vast individual choiceindividual choice in media selection in media selection

• Extent of News Media’s influence?Extent of News Media’s influence?– Modest influence of someModest influence of some News Anchors News Anchors– Role ofRole of Selective Perception?Selective Perception?

Selective Perception

A phenomenon in which people perceive the same event differently because they have different beliefs and personal experiences.

What is the role of selective perception in forming Public Opinion?

Re-enforces already held views & dismisses contradictions

Media InfluenceMedia Influence

• When is News Media most likely to When is News Media most likely to influence someone’s opinion?influence someone’s opinion?– When individual’s knowledge about specific When individual’s knowledge about specific

issueissue limitedlimited

– Or…Or… when the person has no opinion at all when the person has no opinion at all

• What is the Media’s main role wrt shaping What is the Media’s main role wrt shaping Public Opinion? =>Public Opinion? =>

The mediaplays a major role in shaping

the politicalagenda.

Media InfluenceMedia InfluenceWhat exactly does the Media influence?

The Media’s influence is over what people think about;(Not so much what they actually think)

Political Agenda?

PoliticalAgenda

The list of issues considered important and that government officials are actively debating.

News Media and the News Media and the Political AgendaPolitical Agenda

• Influence over Influence over whatwhat Americans think about is Americans think about is significantsignificant– Political AgendaPolitical Agenda – list of issues considered important – list of issues considered important

• Worthy of attention & political discussion or debateWorthy of attention & political discussion or debate

• Impact of News Media on Impact of News Media on Political AgendaPolitical Agenda??– Impressive power to shape the agendaImpressive power to shape the agenda

• America’s political, economical, and social agenda America’s political, economical, and social agenda

– Spotlight issues considered by Media to be importantSpotlight issues considered by Media to be important– Alert & grab attention of public & government Alert & grab attention of public & government

officialsofficials Several factors determine Media’s choices (later)

The News Media and GovernmentThe News Media and Government • Impact of coverage on government officials?Impact of coverage on government officials?

– Focus on an issue => alert public=>Focus on an issue => alert public=>• Exerts public pressure forcing Government to actExerts public pressure forcing Government to act

• ExampleExample: : – War lords’ starvation of people of SomaliaWar lords’ starvation of people of Somalia

– Iraq’s killing of Kurds following Persian Gulf WarIraq’s killing of Kurds following Persian Gulf War

– Government Management of disaster reliefGovernment Management of disaster relief

• Public awareness (thru Media) forced vigorous Public awareness (thru Media) forced vigorous Federal actionFederal action

News Media and the GovernmentNews Media and the Government

The media affectsgovernment officials

while at the same time government officials often try to influence

the media as well

The Two Way Street:

A A Two Way StreetTwo Way Street (Government <=> News Media)(Government <=> News Media)

• Government officials attempt to influence coverageGovernment officials attempt to influence coverage• President especially has great sway on issue coveredPresident especially has great sway on issue covered

– Success ofSuccess of Iraqi election & Iraqi election & need forneed for Social Welfare Reform Social Welfare Reform

• Also try to gain Also try to gain favorable coveragefavorable coverage => => spin controlspin control • In many cases => Media follows Government lead, while In many cases => Media follows Government lead, while

in others the Government finds itself in damage controlin others the Government finds itself in damage control• Examples:Examples:

– War with IraqWar with Iraq vs. diplomacy w/North Koreavs. diplomacy w/North Korea• Bush administration declared Bush administration declared SaddamSaddam greater threat greater threat

– Preparation for RitaPreparation for Rita• Federal Government learned from Katrina and becomes Federal Government learned from Katrina and becomes

better prepared- pre-staging Federal assets close to scenebetter prepared- pre-staging Federal assets close to scene

SpinControl

The practice of trying to persuade journalists to cover news stories in ways that put policies one likes in the most

favorable light.

Changes in the News MediaChanges in the News Media

• 3 major changes in New Media’s past 200 3 major changes in New Media’s past 200 years:years:

– 1. changes in the1. changes in the conventionsconventions of journalismof journalism

– 2. changes in the way the public gets its news2. changes in the way the public gets its news• TheThe sourcessources providing news to the publicproviding news to the public

– 3. changes in the pattern of 3. changes in the pattern of media ownershipmedia ownership

Changes inChanges in Journalistic ConventionsJournalistic Conventions TheThe Evolution of press standards of coverage:Evolution of press standards of coverage:

• Partisan pressPartisan press => blatant supporter of particular party=> blatant supporter of particular party• Penny pressPenny press => revolutionized journalism=> revolutionized journalism

– Mass circulation – affordable to literate populationMass circulation – affordable to literate population– Emphasized Emphasized human interesthuman interest stories – attract readers stories – attract readers– Advertising & sales covered costs => no party tiesAdvertising & sales covered costs => no party ties

• YellowYellow journalism* journalism* => => sensational coverage (Box 8-1)sensational coverage (Box 8-1)– ““Remember the Maine” Remember the Maine” => Spanish-American War=> Spanish-American War

• Muckraking*Muckraking* => investigative reporting (Magazines) => investigative reporting (Magazines)• Objective Press*Objective Press* => today’s theoretical standard: => today’s theoretical standard:

– Appeal to divergent views=> mass circulation=> $$$Appeal to divergent views=> mass circulation=> $$$

• *Key Terms *Key Terms to remember=>to remember=>

YellowJournalism

A form of journalism, popular at the end of the nineteenth century, that emphasized

sensational and sometimes lurid news coverage.

The Evolution of JournalismThe Evolution of Journalism

The Evolution of JournalismThe Evolution of Journalism

MuckrakingMuckraking

Early form of investigativeJournalism popular at theBeginning of 20th century

ObjectiveJournalism

The The EvolutionEvolution of Journalism of Journalism

A form of journalism that developed in the 1920s and

which continues to predominate today. It emphasizes that

journalists should strive to keep personal opinions out of their

coverage of the news.

Changes in Readership and ViewershipChanges in Readership and Viewership

• ““Explosion of news information” 1950 => 2000Explosion of news information” 1950 => 2000– What does this “explosion of news” hide?What does this “explosion of news” hide?

• Hides 4 important changesHides 4 important changes (see (see Table 8-1Table 8-1):):

– Decline in NewspapersDecline in Newspapers (with rise of what?) (with rise of what?)

– Rise of Cable TVRise of Cable TV

– Rise of Talk RadioRise of Talk Radio

– Rapid growth of the InternetRapid growth of the Internet

Decline of total number of newspapers read in the United States, from 1945 to 2004

% T

otal n

um

ber o

f new

spap

ers +

Decline of Newspaper ReadersDecline of Newspaper Readers

135

5842

0

20

40

60

80

100

120

140

1945 1993 2004

NewspaperReaders

Trends in Regular News Consumption-Trends in Regular News Consumption- % of US Population 1993-2004: % of US Population 1993-2004:

Broadcast TV versus Cable TV?

CableTV

BroadcastTV v.

Television stations that make their programming available over the airwaves without charge. Most local cable

companies include broadcast television channels as part of

their basic package of services.

Television programming not originally transmitted over the

air, as with broadcast television, but rather carried via coaxial or fiber optic

cable into the homes of people who pay a monthly fee.

Impact of Cable TVImpact of Cable TV

• Rise of cable TVRise of cable TV => increased competition=> increased competition– Result:Result: Broadcast TVBroadcast TV forced to cut budgets forced to cut budgets

• Corporate owners stress profits over newsCorporate owners stress profits over news

• Overseas News Bureaus coverage hardest hitOverseas News Bureaus coverage hardest hit

– Declining viewers=> shift to cable=> Declining viewers=> shift to cable=> • Means less advertising $$$=> more Budget cutsMeans less advertising $$$=> more Budget cuts

• Also: as more TV used as news source=> Also: as more TV used as news source=> – More emphasisMore emphasis on image & style on image & style=> =>

– less less in-depth analysisin-depth analysis => less informed public => less informed public

Other Sources: Talk Radio & InternetOther Sources: Talk Radio & Internet• Rise of Rise of Talk RadioTalk Radio=>promotes active political debate=>promotes active political debate

– Debate: Debate: clarify or distort issues?clarify or distort issues?– Conservative bias? Representative cross section of Nation?Conservative bias? Representative cross section of Nation?

• Rapid growth of IRapid growth of Internetnternet=> => – 50+% US homes w/access and growing50+% US homes w/access and growing– Especially true w/young => prime source of news?Especially true w/young => prime source of news?

• More than doubled as news source since 1998More than doubled as news source since 1998

– AdvantageAdvantage: rapid & tailored dissemination: rapid & tailored dissemination– Excellent potential resource for research & educationExcellent potential resource for research & education

• www.Congress.orgwww.Congress.org – DisadvantageDisadvantage: accuracy (rumors & untruths) & : accuracy (rumors & untruths) &

• no accountability and vulnerable to manipulation & rumorno accountability and vulnerable to manipulation & rumor– Also: Also: Spam, Spam, excess info, & the poor are left outexcess info, & the poor are left out

Changes in Media OwnershipChanges in Media Ownership • Rise of Corporation ownership => Rise of Corporation ownership => priority?priority?

– Potential impact on news quality & objectivity?Potential impact on news quality & objectivity?

• Increased trend toward concentration of Increased trend toward concentration of ownershipownership– Result:Result: # of owners shrinking => # of owners shrinking =>

• consolidation & focus on profit $$$ & less on hard newsconsolidation & focus on profit $$$ & less on hard news

• Telecommunication Competition & Deregulation Telecommunication Competition & Deregulation ActAct – Eliminated many restrictions on media ownershipEliminated many restrictions on media ownership– Further Further concentrationconcentration => which results in turn=> => which results in turn=>– Increased % of public reached by a few elite ownersIncreased % of public reached by a few elite owners

05

101520253035404550

1981 1990 2000

Corporationsholdingmajority ofnews outlets

Consolidation of news outlets from 1981 to 2000

Num

ber of corporations

Consolidation of the NewsConsolidation of the News

Any Problem?

Concerns about ConsolidationConcerns about Consolidation

• Concerns of critics of more concentrated ownership:Concerns of critics of more concentrated ownership:– Diversity of news coverage & op-ed Diversity of news coverage & op-ed diminished diminished– More More homogenizedhomogenized news/news/view acceptable to ownersview acceptable to owners– Result:Result: restrictsrestricts rather than promotes political rather than promotes political debatedebate

• Offsetting checks to decrease impact of ownership Offsetting checks to decrease impact of ownership concentrationconcentration – Fed regulatory actions to Fed regulatory actions to promote diversitypromote diversity of opinions of opinions– Expansion of cable TV & internet=> Expansion of cable TV & internet=> new info sourcesnew info sources

– $$$ motive => incentive to meet $$$ motive => incentive to meet needs of audienceneeds of audience

“Our liberty depends on freedom of the press, and that cannot be limited without

being lost.”

Thomas Jefferson

Freedom of the PressFreedom of the Press

Source of this guaranteed protection?

Is Freedom of the Press absolute? Are there any restrictions?

Limits to Press FreedomLimits to Press Freedom

• Two major categories of constraints:Two major categories of constraints:– Legal ChecksLegal Checks limiting freedom of action limiting freedom of action

– Government PoliciesGovernment Policies limiting press access limiting press access

Limits to Press FreedomLimits to Press Freedom

• Legal checks on freedom of the press:Legal checks on freedom of the press:– Libel lawsLibel laws => =>

• press can’t unjustly injure reputationspress can’t unjustly injure reputations

– Obscenity lawsObscenity laws => => • seldom a problem for news coverageseldom a problem for news coverage

– Prior restraintPrior restraint => => • rarely applied (any exceptions?)rarely applied (any exceptions?)

• National Security & protection of Gov. agentsNational Security & protection of Gov. agents

Any other constraints on Press freedom?

Other factors constraining press freedom:Other factors constraining press freedom:

• Government secrecyGovernment secrecy => classified documents => classified documents– Requires government clearances (or leak) to seeRequires government clearances (or leak) to see– FOIA*FOIA* attempts to make government declassify documents attempts to make government declassify documents

• Government pressureGovernment pressure => reporters depend on access => reporters depend on access– threats, cut off contact, accusations of bias reportingthreats, cut off contact, accusations of bias reporting– without access => no story => press self-restraintwithout access => no story => press self-restraint

• Limited accessLimited access => US military operations => US military operations (OPSEC)(OPSEC)– Concern for press safety (more likely distraction)Concern for press safety (more likely distraction)– Military Military L/L:L/L: Vietnam => Grenada => PG warVietnam => Grenada => PG war– Pool reportingPool reporting => press dissatisfaction=> “ => press dissatisfaction=> “unilaterals”unilaterals”

• Recent trends: more controlled access Recent trends: more controlled access go it alone go it alone – ““Embedding”Embedding” reporters with the troops reporters with the troops

• First hand reporting through aFirst hand reporting through a “soda straw” “soda straw”

Freedom of Information Act

Freedom of the PressFreedom of the Press

FOIA: An act of Congress passed in 1966 that created a system

through which anyone can petition the government to declassify secret

documents.

The Electronic Media & Federal RegulationThe Electronic Media & Federal Regulation

• Rationale for government regulation:Rationale for government regulation:– Limited number of channels availableLimited number of channels available

– Public owns airwaves (so Government controls) Public owns airwaves (so Government controls)

• FCC*FCC* role & function role & function::– Administer the rulesAdminister the rules regulating the regulating the electronic mediaelectronic media

– Set technical standardsSet technical standards for the industry for the industry (HD TV)(HD TV)

– License TV & RadioLicense TV & Radio (every 5-7 years – review) (every 5-7 years – review)

– Administer broadcast standardsAdminister broadcast standards=> => • Station ID/hour, decency standardsStation ID/hour, decency standards

An independent federal agency that regulates interstate and international communication by radio, television,

telephone, telegraph, cable, and satellite.

Federal Communications CommissionFederal Communications Commission

FCC

Other Government regulations affecting electronic media?

Freedom of the PressFreedom of the Press

Equal Time Provision

A federal law that stipulates that if a radio or television station gives or sells air time to a

candidate for political office, it must provide all candidates for public office with access to the

airwaves under the same conditions.

A regulation the FCC adopted in 1949 and repealed in 1987. It

required broadcasters to provide “reasonable opportunities for the expression of opposing views on

controversial issues of public importance.”

Freedom of the PressFreedom of the Press

Fairness Doctrine

Repealed in 1987- why?

Congress Constraints on Congress Constraints on FCCFCC

• US governmentUS government cannot regulate cannot regulate contentcontent::– In contrast to media in other countries=>In contrast to media in other countries=>

• US media enjoys much more freedom US media enjoys much more freedom

• Federal law forbids Federal law forbids FCCFCC from censorship from censorship activities activities – (Within established decency standards)(Within established decency standards)

– Free Speech & PressFree Speech & Press alive & well – so far… alive & well – so far…

Let’s examine how the Media reports the News =>

Reporting the NewsReporting the News

• What exactly is the What exactly is the Media’s Media’s tremendous tremendous power … power … again?again? – The MediaThe Media sets the sets the political agendapolitical agenda

• Plays key role in deciding what?Plays key role in deciding what?– What actually constitutes newsWhat actually constitutes news

• Uses its subjective judgment to select what it Uses its subjective judgment to select what it considers news =>considers news =>– Applies Applies threethree specific criteria specific criteria – which are? – which are?

Criteria for Selecting the NewsCriteria for Selecting the News

1. Conflict

2. Proximity

3. Timeliness

What Is News?What Is News?

• Subjective judgment applying the 3 specific criteria:Subjective judgment applying the 3 specific criteria:– ConflictConflict => bad news & corruption bias => bad news & corruption bias– ProximityProximity => closer to home trumps farther away=> closer to home trumps farther away– TimelinessTimeliness => w/time stories fade as yesterday’s news=> w/time stories fade as yesterday’s news

• Other selection influencesOther selection influences::– Pack journalismPack journalism=> common desire to not miss story=> common desire to not miss story

• Distinct weakness of pack=> subject of Distinct weakness of pack=> subject of manipulationmanipulation – TV video factorTV video factor => => action images trump talking headsaction images trump talking heads

• Shortfalls of above selection criteria:Shortfalls of above selection criteria:– Important stories may fail to meet above criteriaImportant stories may fail to meet above criteria– Over time => urgency & public interest in story fadesOver time => urgency & public interest in story fades

• Even though facts of event remain as first reported =>Even though facts of event remain as first reported =>• Urgency of & interest in the story declines with timeUrgency of & interest in the story declines with time

Telling the StoryTelling the Story

• HowHow the news is reported => the news is reported =>– Media faced with many subjective choicesMedia faced with many subjective choices

– Total objectivity & impartiality is simply Total objectivity & impartiality is simply impossibleimpossible

– Hard choices have to made- many stories left outHard choices have to made- many stories left out

• Attempts to minimize Attempts to minimize subjective reportingsubjective reporting– Four rulesFour rules are used by responsible journalists are used by responsible journalists

– What are these four rules?What are these four rules?

Four RulesFour Rules for Journalists for Journalists

• Keep Keep personal preferences outpersonal preferences out of the story. of the story. – No advocacy for one side or the otherNo advocacy for one side or the other

• Avoid Avoid using obviously using obviously value-laden words* value-laden words*

• Get both sidesGet both sides of the story of the story– Sometimes not always practical Sometimes not always practical (Daniel Pearl)(Daniel Pearl)

• Use Use “responsible” sources“responsible” sources for information for information– True experts- usually mid-high government True experts- usually mid-high government

officials officials

Any exceptions to above rules?

Exceptions to the RulesExceptions to the Rules• US at war – US at war – (patriotism(patriotism hard to completely avoid) hard to completely avoid)• Value laden words Value laden words used on more frequent basisused on more frequent basis

– Terrorist vs. freedom fighterTerrorist vs. freedom fighter or or Killed vs. massacredKilled vs. massacred– Suicide Bomber vs. MartyrSuicide Bomber vs. Martyr

• Value laden ImagesValue laden Images have an even greater impact: have an even greater impact:– Image: Students kissing ground following Grenada “rescue”Image: Students kissing ground following Grenada “rescue”– The The slantslant in news coverage (certain angle of view & tone) in news coverage (certain angle of view & tone)

• Getting both sides all the time risks distorting issueGetting both sides all the time risks distorting issue– Jews vs. Nazis contrasting views of the Jews vs. Nazis contrasting views of the Holocaust Holocaust

• Responsible sources & experts present unique problemResponsible sources & experts present unique problem– Many Many FP FP stories rely on Government expert/officials – problem?stories rely on Government expert/officials – problem?

• Government position or slant invariably pushedGovernment position or slant invariably pushed

– Political & $$$ experts give elite perspective or biasPolitical & $$$ experts give elite perspective or bias• Applied to interview or discussion of event or issue Applied to interview or discussion of event or issue

SlantingSlanting the story by imagethe story by image

Any other complaints?

Six Common Complaints about the Six Common Complaints about the Media:Media:

• They are They are ideologically biasedideologically biased. . • They are They are excessively cynicalexcessively cynical. . • They increasingly treat news as They increasingly treat news as entertainmententertainment. . • They do a They do a poor jobpoor job of covering of covering electionselections. . • They do a They do a poor jobpoor job of reporting of reporting election resultselection results. . • They complicate the task of governing by reporting They complicate the task of governing by reporting

stories based on leaksstories based on leaks & confidential government & confidential government sources for classified information.sources for classified information.

Let’s examine these in greater detail

Evaluating the News MediaEvaluating the News Media

• Ideological BiasIdeological Bias::– Is the Media bias in their reporting?Is the Media bias in their reporting?

• IdeologicalIdeological leanings in contrast to rest of nation? leanings in contrast to rest of nation? – LiberalLiberal or or ConservativeConservative??

• Focus of media’s attention is current Focus of media’s attention is current White House White House occupantoccupant

– Both Both Bush Bush andand Clinton Clinton complained about coverage complained about coverage

CynicismCynicism • A tendency of News Media to focus on what?A tendency of News Media to focus on what?

– ““good news is good news is no newsno news”?”?• ““watchdog” vs. “attack dog” watchdog” vs. “attack dog” • Historical trends of News Media Historical trends of News Media

– Before and after Before and after WatergateWatergate => => more more vs. vs. less trustless trust– More adversarial towards Gov. officials & institutionsMore adversarial towards Gov. officials & institutions

• In past more likely to give office holders the In past more likely to give office holders the benefit of doubtbenefit of doubt– Press avoided photos of Press avoided photos of FDRFDR in wheel chair in wheel chair– Ignored rumors of Ignored rumors of JFK’sJFK’s infidelity infidelity– Clinton got no such slackClinton got no such slack – Nor President Bush re. reasons for Iraq War or Nor President Bush re. reasons for Iraq War or

Federal response to Federal response to KatrinaKatrina

News as EntertainmentNews as Entertainment

• Recent trends to treat news as entertainment Recent trends to treat news as entertainment – Why?Why?

– Competition for viewers fierce => Competition for viewers fierce => soft newssoft news• More viewers => more TV ads => more $$$ More viewers => more TV ads => more $$$

• ““If it bleeds it leads”=> Result? =>If it bleeds it leads”=> Result? =>– The The iinteresting news nteresting news over the over the more importantmore important

The News Media on the Campaign TrailThe News Media on the Campaign Trail

• Major criticisms of News Media Major criticisms of News Media campaign campaign coveragecoverage– Horse-race journalismHorse-race journalism => who’s in the lead? => who’s in the lead?

– Photo opsPhoto ops => staged events easier to cover => staged events easier to cover• Designed to flatter candidate & provide TV imagesDesigned to flatter candidate & provide TV images

• Diminishing Diminishing sound bite*sound bite* (Figure 8-1) (Figure 8-1) – Motive: more time for TV AdsMotive: more time for TV Ads

– Bumper-stickerBumper-sticker like interviews on complex like interviews on complex issuesissues

0

5

10

15

20

25

30

35

40

45

1968 1976 1984 1992

Length ofSoundbites inSeconds

Total num

ber of seconds

Candidate Candidate “self-edits”“self-edits” to gain more control over what’s shown to viewer to gain more control over what’s shown to viewer& Voters lose out due to less in-depth understanding candidate’s & Voters lose out due to less in-depth understanding candidate’s positionposition

Length of Average Campaign Length of Average Campaign Sound biteSound bite grows shorter with time grows shorter with time

Result?Result?

Media’s Response to CriticsMedia’s Response to Critics

• Media response:Media response:– Marginally more time & space allotted to issues Marginally more time & space allotted to issues

& hard news about candidate& hard news about candidate

• Candidates response to Media:Candidates response to Media:– Lately avoid hard journalists’ questions Lately avoid hard journalists’ questions

– Bypass press & speak directly to voters – Bypass press & speak directly to voters – how?how?

• Problem with bypassing professional media? Problem with bypassing professional media? – Lack of training or inclination to seek hard newsLack of training or inclination to seek hard news – Hard hitting in depth political questions by Hard hitting in depth political questions by

Oprah Winfrey, Jay Leno, & David Letterman?Oprah Winfrey, Jay Leno, & David Letterman?

Reporting Election ResultsReporting Election Results • FloridaFlorida 20002000 vote count - vote count - “too close to call”?“too close to call”?

– Calling it first & calling it wrong – why?Calling it first & calling it wrong – why?– Over reliance on Over reliance on Exit PollsExit Polls & same pollster & same pollster

• Saving $$$ & getting embarrassed in return Saving $$$ & getting embarrassed in return

• Impact of media’s blunders on public confidence?Impact of media’s blunders on public confidence?– 65% those polled said media 65% those polled said media “often inaccurate”“often inaccurate”

• Calls for change => pressure on Media & CongressCalls for change => pressure on Media & Congress– Network changes to Election Night reporting was better in 2004Network changes to Election Night reporting was better in 2004

• CongressionalCongressional actions – hearings & proposed laws actions – hearings & proposed laws– Restraining exit polls => harder to project winnerRestraining exit polls => harder to project winner– Uniform closing times of polls (practical problems?)Uniform closing times of polls (practical problems?)

• EST vs. Hawaii’s (Time difference)EST vs. Hawaii’s (Time difference)

– Also Potential for Also Potential for First Amendment challengesFirst Amendment challenges• Restrictions by Government on Restrictions by Government on Political Speech?Political Speech?

Reporting Reporting LeaksLeaks

• Do Do leaksleaks jeopardize jeopardize National Security?National Security?• Who Who leaksleaks and why? and why?

– Move issue to political agenda (Move issue to political agenda (trial balloon)trial balloon)– Mobilize public opposition of burgeoning policyMobilize public opposition of burgeoning policy– Send a message from one official to anotherSend a message from one official to another– Damage a colleague they dislike Damage a colleague they dislike

• NTLNTL leaksleaks remain important journalistic tool remain important journalistic tool– It’s also useful to government as well It’s also useful to government as well

News Media and DemocracyNews Media and Democracy

• US News Media is far from perfect:US News Media is far from perfect:– BiasBias reporting & slants do seep in reporting & slants do seep in– Reporters have become Reporters have become too cynicaltoo cynical at times at times– Hard news looses out to soft news & entertainmentHard news looses out to soft news & entertainment– Campaigns emphasize contest over contentCampaigns emphasize contest over content– Leaks often attempt to manipulate media coverageLeaks often attempt to manipulate media coverage

• Public & even media freely criticize poor reportingPublic & even media freely criticize poor reporting– Motivates media to improve & reformMotivates media to improve & reform

– Media remain vital component to democratic processMedia remain vital component to democratic process – How else can people monitor their government?How else can people monitor their government?

The The News MediaNews Media:: KEY TERMSKEY TERMS – –

• Broadcast televisionBroadcast television:: Television stations that make their programming available over Television stations that make their programming available over the airwaves without charge. Most local cable companies include broadcast television the airwaves without charge. Most local cable companies include broadcast television channels as part of their basic package of services.channels as part of their basic package of services.

• Cable televisionCable television: : Television programming not originally transmitted over the air, as Television programming not originally transmitted over the air, as with broadcast television, but rather carried via coaxial or fiber optic cable into the with broadcast television, but rather carried via coaxial or fiber optic cable into the homes of people who pay a monthly fee.homes of people who pay a monthly fee.

• Equal-time provision:Equal-time provision: A federal law that stipulates that if a radio or television station A federal law that stipulates that if a radio or television station gives or sells air time to a candidate for political office, it must provide all candidates gives or sells air time to a candidate for political office, it must provide all candidates for public office with access to the airwaves under the same conditions.for public office with access to the airwaves under the same conditions.

• Fairness doctrineFairness doctrine:: A regulation of the FCC adopted in 1949 and repealed in 1987. It A regulation of the FCC adopted in 1949 and repealed in 1987. It required broadcasters to provide “reasonable opportunities for the expression of required broadcasters to provide “reasonable opportunities for the expression of opposing views on controversial issues of public importance.”opposing views on controversial issues of public importance.”

• Federal Communications Commission (FCC):Federal Communications Commission (FCC): An independent federal agency that An independent federal agency that regulates interstate and international communication by radio, television, telephone, regulates interstate and international communication by radio, television, telephone, telegraph, cable, and satellite.telegraph, cable, and satellite.

• Freedom of Information ActFreedom of Information Act:: An act of Congress passed in 1966 that created a An act of Congress passed in 1966 that created a system through which anyone can petition the government to declassify secret system through which anyone can petition the government to declassify secret documents.documents.

• Horse-race journalismHorse-race journalism:: News coverage of elections that focuses on which candidate News coverage of elections that focuses on which candidate is leading in the polls rather than on the substantive issues in the campaign.is leading in the polls rather than on the substantive issues in the campaign.

G-8 G-8 Key TermsKey Terms (2) (2)

• LeaksLeaks:: Confidential government information surreptitiously given to Confidential government information surreptitiously given to journalists.journalists.

• MuckrakingMuckraking:: An early form of investigative journalism popular at the An early form of investigative journalism popular at the beginning of the twentieth century.beginning of the twentieth century.

• Objective pressObjective press:: A form of journalism that took hold in the 1920s and which A form of journalism that took hold in the 1920s and which continues to predominate today. It emphasizes that journalists should strive to continues to predominate today. It emphasizes that journalists should strive to keep their opinions out of their coverage of the news.keep their opinions out of their coverage of the news.

• Photo opportunitiesPhoto opportunities:: Events that political candidates and government officials stage to allow Events that political candidates and government officials stage to allow newspaper photographers and television news crews to take flattering photos.newspaper photographers and television news crews to take flattering photos.

• Political agendaPolitical agenda:: The list of issues that people think are important and that government officials are The list of issues that people think are important and that government officials are actively debating.actively debating.

• Pool reportingPool reporting: : A system the Defense Department instituted in the 1980s for reporting from a A system the Defense Department instituted in the 1980s for reporting from a combat zone during wartime. With pool reporting, military officials escort small groups of reporters combat zone during wartime. With pool reporting, military officials escort small groups of reporters when they interview American troops.when they interview American troops.

• Selective perceptionSelective perception:: A phenomenon in which people perceive the same event differently because A phenomenon in which people perceive the same event differently because they have different beliefs and personal experiences.they have different beliefs and personal experiences.

• Sound biteSound bite:: A short excerpt from a person’s speech or conversation that appears on radio or A short excerpt from a person’s speech or conversation that appears on radio or television news.television news.

• Spin controlSpin control:: The practice of trying to persuade journalists to cover news stories in ways that put The practice of trying to persuade journalists to cover news stories in ways that put policies one likes in the most favorable light.policies one likes in the most favorable light.

• Talk radioTalk radio: : Political talk shows on radio. Since the early 1990s, talk radio has emerged as an Political talk shows on radio. Since the early 1990s, talk radio has emerged as an important force in American politics.important force in American politics.

• Yellow journalismYellow journalism:: A form of journalism, popular at the end of the nineteenth century, that A form of journalism, popular at the end of the nineteenth century, that emphasized sensational and sometimes lurid news coverage. emphasized sensational and sometimes lurid news coverage.

Next Class AssignmentNext Class Assignment

• Chapter 9: Chapter 9: Political PartiesPolitical Parties– Learning Objectives 1-11Learning Objectives 1-11

• Research Paper Topic Selection due soonResearch Paper Topic Selection due soon– Submission of Thesis statement & minimum of Submission of Thesis statement & minimum of

4 sources by Midterm Exam4 sources by Midterm Exam