Influence of the Media on Politics Media is known as the "Fourth Branch of Government"What gives the media so much political pull?

1. Media's pervasiveness to get the story2. Linkage institution between the government and the

peopleThe Internet has replaced newspapers, television, and magazines as people's top avenue of political informationUsed to directly appeal to the public as well as and to campaign

Mass Media: any means of communication including newspapers, magazines, radio, television, films, recordings, books, and the Internet

Influence of the Media on Politics

Politics and media go hand in hand but have changedUsed to work together but now often oppose one anotherUse press conferences to release information that began with FDR and his fireside chatsWatergate caused distrust between the media and government

Investigative Journalism

Influence of the Media on Politics Inner tier1. 3 National news magazines (Time, Newsweek, and US News and World Report2. 4 Nat'l newspapers (The New York Times, Washington Post, Wall Street Journal, and Los Angeles Times)

Middle tierOther nat'l newspapers that have political pullUSA Today, Chicago Tribune, Christian Science Monitor

Outer tierLocal newspapers, television, and radio stations

The Internet

Revolutionized the way Americans obtain informationEasily accessible, easily retrievable information like voting records, legislation, how to reach you Congressman, etc.Few Americans are taking advantage of such information

Who

Owns

What

Media CoverageEssential for president's to have a positive relationship with the media yet be able to control information that is obtained by the media

Reagan did this successfully; Clinton did not

"Winning the Media Campaign: How the Press Reported the 2008 General Election"

Study conducted after the 2008 election and charges from Hillary Clinton and John McCain on media bias towards ObamaMedia's portrayal of candidates changes with opinion pollsCoverage driven by the "horse race"; Who is up and who is downConclusion: Obama was slightly more positive than negative but MCCain was "heavily unfavorable"

Media BiasIs media fair and balanced?Does it make a difference if it is not?

Liberals say media is to conservative; Conservatives say media is to liberalBias is not what the media reports about but what they ignore or not fully report on.Media tries to be unbiased and show both sides of the story

Media Regulations

Federal Communications Commission (FCC)Regulatory agency that monitors airwavesIndependent but relies on federal funding.

Would the FCC be impervious to political pressure?Enforces rules and regulations that prohibit slander and libelPrevents monopolies, examinations for licensure purposes, and monitors fairness of attacks

If you are verbally attacked on a television station is it a right that you may appear on that same network for a rebuttal?

Investigative Journalism

Adversarial Reporting

Relationship with the MediaDouble edged sword: Media can help (Reagan) or hurt the president (Nixon)JFK initiated the use of press conferences to provide a link between the government and the peopleThe media has slightly disillusioned voters about the election process causing a slight decrease in turnout since the 60s

Impeachment of Bill Clinton

Most partisan political clash in American historyInvestigations into White House abuses and a misconduct charge from an Arkansas gov't official uncovered that Clinton had lied about allegations of having relations with an intern.Clinton denied doing wrong but admitted to his affair w/ Monica LewinskyHouse impeached Clinton and Senate did not get the necessary two-thirds vote needed and he was acquitted. Media covered this 24/7 causing Clinton's approval rating to go under 40% while his job approval was over 60%President can control the nature of the content the media portrays such as giving full access of military operations

Media and Public Approval

Public approval is key in order to achieve policy agendaPolls determine approval ratingsAvg. approval rating at the end of a term is approx. 50%Fluctuates: Sept 11 Bush 90%... End of term...Factors that influence PA; party affiliation, age, gender, education, and religious practice as well as media Bully Pulpit: using the POTUS office to influence Congress to pass particular legislation

Fireside chats and Bill's town meetingsStaged events help PA and support the next item on the agenda