1. Example of Bias in the Press Amount of Coverage (# or length) Type of Coverage (articles vs. editorials) Tone & Loaded Language –Headlines & Text –Downplaying or Exaggerating Importance Unbalanced Sources (equal time? Anonymous?) Photos & Captions Omission (of info or coverage) Other Techniques? McCain, Obama Spar Over Economic Fix Oct. 8, 2008 http://online.wsj.com/public/ushttp://online.wsj.com/public/us

2. Media Sensationalism –focus on conflict and shocking stories to appeal to viewers (sex, violence, intrigue) Soundbites Focus on Profit over News? Libel Laws pertaining to Public Figures Inaccuracy

3. Media Effects... Affects political agenda (which issues the public thinks are important) –less influence over issues personally experienced –Doesn’t necessarily alter views on the issue –no correlation with voting found –affects popularity of Presidents How politics conducted –Weakens parties to some extent –Name recognition

4. Objective Examine the issue of media deregulation from more than one perspective

5. Regulation of the Airwaves by the FCC The “Airwaves” are public property. TV & radio use them for free, but must follow Federal Communications Commission rules (FCC) Not cable, internet, magazine, newspapers Some Rules: –Public service announcements –Equal Time Rule – must sell airtime to both candidates –Political Editorializing Rule – if endorse one candidate, opposing candidate has right to reply on that station –Right-of-Reply – if criticize someone, they have right to reply –Fairness Doctrine – must give time to opposing views on controversial issues (repealed in 1987 by FCC) –Ownership Limits – to prevent media monopolies

6. Background: Media Regulation Since 1930s… Restrict the number of media outlets a company could own e.g. can’t own local tv station & newspaper in same city; can’t own > 3 tv stations nationwide Goals: Diversity of voices in media Prevent one company from having too much control over dissemination of info

7. Associated Press v. U.S. (1945) U.S. sues Associated Press for violating antitrust laws AP prohibited subscribers from sharing news with non-subscribers Supreme Court agreed with U.S. Rationale: First Amt. protects people’s right to info, not news company’s right to disseminate info Quote: “the widest possible dissemination of information from diverse and antagonistic sources is essential to the welfare of the public….a free press is a condition of a free society”

8. 1990s: Trend toward Deregulation Telecommunications Act of 1996: –Goal: Increase competition in media –Repealed cap on # tv stations a co. could own –Increased limits on share of national audience from 25% to 35% Results: Rapid Media Consolidation: –1997: Walt Disney and ABC –1999: Viacom and CBS –2000: AOL and Time-Warner –5 conglomerates: Viacom, NBC/General Electric, AOL Time Warner, Disney, News Corp –Control 80% of viewership in prime time tv, own most cable, and own radio, publishing, movie studios, music, internet, other businesses

9. FCC Rules 1987: FCC abolished “fairness” doctrine June 2003: FCC allowed media companies to own both a tv station and newspaper in same market June 2003: FCC raised cap on TV viewership from 35% to 45% of national audience July – Sep 2003: Congress votes to keep TV ownership cap at 35%. Bush threatens veto to defend deregulation.

10. Question: What should happen in the future with media regulation? Come up with constitutional and/or policy arguments List FOUR arguments supporting deregulation… List FOUR arguments supporting regulation…

11. Arguments Deregulation: Free Market First Amendment = no govt. interference Competition serves Public Interest Greater Diversity today: more channels & sources More Resources from large conglomerates Government Censorship Greater Efficiency due to Economies of Scale Bias = more viewpoints Continued Regulation: Focus on Profit over Public Interest First Amendment = Public Right to Info Conglomerates Stifle Competition More Channels, but fewer Viewpoints Conflict of Interest if news owned by large conglomerates Corporate Censorship Cutting Costs & Investigative Divisions for Profit Need for Civility and Unity