Chapter 6 THE MASS MEDIA

The Attack of the Blogs In early 2005, “off-the-record” comments by CNN chief news executive Eason Jordon were published by a private citizen on an Internet “blog.” Large news organizations then published the comments, ultimately resulting in Jordan’s resignation from CNN. The lesson: news organizations can no longer dominate the information that citizens receive. Is this good or bad for democracy?

Roles of the News Media in Democracy The central idea of democracy is that ordinary citizens should control what their government does. Yet, this requires that citizens have comprehensive, accurate, and objective information about politics.

Specifically, the media should: Act as a watchdog over government Protected by the First Amendment A unique protection not found in most other countries Still, other factors may limit the willingness and ability of the American media to perform this role

Specifically, the media should: Clarify what electoral choices the public has Present a full and enlightening set of ideas about public policy to the public

The Media Landscape Overall: fragmentation Provides the potential for citizens to gain access to a variety of information

Radio Call-in talk shows National Public Radio Mostly appeal to middle-aged, male conservatives National Public Radio

Television Most people name television as their most important source of news. Rise of niche audiences that tune into news outlets that share their pre-existing views.

The Internet Remarkable rise in overall use Significant numbers use Internet to gather information about politics “blogs” new mechanism for communication among citizens, and between citizens and government

Organization of the Mass Media Corporate ownership Increasing concentration of ownership uniformity and diversity profit motive infotainment

Political Newsmaking The limited geography of political news Dependence on official sources Beats and routines Leaking Military actions

Political Newsmaking “Newsworthiness” Templates Episodic foreign coverage

Political Newsmaking Interpreting Notion of “objective journalism” Bias often is hard to detect Selection of “experts”

Is the News Biased? Observers disagree about whether the media are biased in a liberal or a conservative direction. Liberal reporters Not-so-liberal owners and corporations What constitutes bias?

Prevailing Themes in Political News Nationalism Approval of the American Economic System Negativity and Scandal

Prevailing Themes in Political News Infotainment Pundits Limited, Fragmented, and Incoherent Political Information

Effects of the News Media on Politics Agenda Setting Framing and Effects on Policy Preferences Fueling cynicism

Government Regulation of the Media Government has less legal control over the media in the United States than in most other countries. Print media Alien and Sedition Acts (1798) prior restraint wartime controls

Government Regulation of the Media Electronic media Government licensing of the airwaves Radio Act of 1927 Federal Communications Act of 1934 Telecommunications Act of 1996 growing FCC concerns about media decency

Government Regulation of the Media Electronic media Public service broadcasting Fairness doctrine Equal-time provision The Internet Lots of debate; little governmental regulation USA Patriot Act (2001)