The Media
This chapter 6 describes the origin and growth of the media, assess their objectivity, and examine their influence on politics.
People, Government and Communication. Communication is the process of transmitting information from one individual or group to another. Mass communications is the process by which information is transmitted to large, heterogeneous, widely dispersed audiences.
Mass Media Refers to the means for communicating to these audiences. The mass Media are divided into two types: Print Media Broadcast media:
Print media: Broadcast media: communicate information through the publication of words and pictures on Paper. Broadcast media: communicate information electronically, through sounds and images. Ex: Daily news papers and popular Magazines Ex: Radio and Television. Internet ?
In Democratic governments, information must flow freely in both directions; a democratic government can respond to public opinion only if its citizens can make their opinions known.
The media are the only mechanisms that specialize in communication. Although this chapter concentrates on political uses of five prominent mass media, such as: News Papers Magazines Radio Television Internet Political content can also be transmitted through other mass media, such as: Recordings Motion pictures.
The Development of the Mass Media in the United States. Our focus here is on mass media in the news industry On print Broadcast journal
Newspapers Magazines Radio Television The Internet
Private Ownership of the Media
Government Regulation of the Media
Functions of the Mass Media for the Political System
Evaluating the Media in Government
Summary