The Media Chapter 12

Journalism in American Political History New Media New Media Blog – series, or log, of discussion items on a page of World Wide Web. Blog – series, or log, of discussion items on a page of World Wide Web. Old Media Old Media Newspapers and television stations Newspapers and television stations

Cont… All public officials have a love- hate relationship with newspapers television and the other media of mass communication. All public officials have a love- hate relationship with newspapers television and the other media of mass communication. For the advancement of their careers For the advancement of their careers But fear the media’s power of criticize, expose, and destroy. But fear the media’s power of criticize, expose, and destroy.

Cont… The press in this country is among the freest in the world. The press in this country is among the freest in the world. Ex: The laws governing libel are much stricter in Great Britain than in the US. Ex: The laws governing libel are much stricter in Great Britain than in the US. England official secret Act England official secret Act

The Party Press Newspapers were expensive Newspapers were expensive These newspapers circulated chiefly among the political and commercial elites, who could afford the high subscription prices Federalists created the Gazette of the US. These newspapers circulated chiefly among the political and commercial elites, who could afford the high subscription prices Federalists created the Gazette of the US. The Republicans created the National gazette The Republicans created the National gazette Andrew Jackson created the Washington Globe Andrew Jackson created the Washington Globe All papers were one sided on a issue. All papers were one sided on a issue. There were over fifty journalists on the government payroll during era. There were over fifty journalists on the government payroll during era.

The Popular Press Publisher printed thousands of copies of a newspaper cheaply and quickly. Publisher printed thousands of copies of a newspaper cheaply and quickly. The invention of the telegraph in the 1840s meant that news from Washington could be flushed almost immediately to New York, Boston etc. providing local papers with access to info that once only the Washington papers enjoyed. The invention of the telegraph in the 1840s meant that news from Washington could be flushed almost immediately to New York, Boston etc. providing local papers with access to info that once only the Washington papers enjoyed. In 1860 the Government printing office was established, putting an end to most of the printing contracts that Washington newspapers had once enjoyed. In 1860 the Government printing office was established, putting an end to most of the printing contracts that Washington newspapers had once enjoyed.

Cont… Attack a large readership was with sensationalism: violence, romance, and patriotism. Attack a large readership was with sensationalism: violence, romance, and patriotism.

Magazines of Opinion Growing middle class “Yellow journalism” Growing middle class “Yellow journalism” The Nation, the Atlantic monthly and Harpers 1850’s/ 1860s The Nation, the Atlantic monthly and Harpers 1850’s/ 1860s Cosmopolitan although politics dominated the pages most national magazines in the late 1900s, today is magazines laws on popular entertainment and leisure activities. Cosmopolitan although politics dominated the pages most national magazines in the late 1900s, today is magazines laws on popular entertainment and leisure activities.

Electronic Journalism 1920 was the beginning for radio and 1940 was when news was televised was the beginning for radio and 1940 was when news was televised. This brought up a major change in politics, because politicians understood that they could get a wider view of audience if they were able to talk to the public, without actually being there. This brought up a major change in politics, because politicians understood that they could get a wider view of audience if they were able to talk to the public, without actually being there. So politicians tried to work the television and the radio towards their advantage if they were really skilled enough to get votes or support. So politicians tried to work the television and the radio towards their advantage if they were really skilled enough to get votes or support.

Cont… The downside towards this is that people could choose to ignore the broadcast or just not listen at all. The downside towards this is that people could choose to ignore the broadcast or just not listen at all. But eventually electronic media started growing towards a point where the majority of Americans have access to it. But eventually electronic media started growing towards a point where the majority of Americans have access to it. And the “big three” televised networks are ABC, CBS, and NBC, who claim more than 80% of the viewers. And the “big three” televised networks are ABC, CBS, and NBC, who claim more than 80% of the viewers.

The Internet The newest electronic source is the internet. The newest electronic source is the internet. Half of Americans have a computer or some sort of access to the internet. Half of Americans have a computer or some sort of access to the internet. Campaigns and other politician issues can be discuss in blogs, web logs, and other things over the internet. Campaigns and other politician issues can be discuss in blogs, web logs, and other things over the internet. Its also a major use to discuss criticisms and mass politics…and its faster. (you can laterally bust a quickie) Its also a major use to discuss criticisms and mass politics…and its faster. (you can laterally bust a quickie)

Are the National Media Biased? Its been traced back to the 1980 that the media is more liberal than the average citizen. But even then the media is broken down up into distinctive racial and ethnic groups. Its been traced back to the 1980 that the media is more liberal than the average citizen. But even then the media is broken down up into distinctive racial and ethnic groups. At times people will be influence by what people At times people will be influence by what people

The Structure of the Media Politics take advantage of the communication the media provides. Politics take advantage of the communication the media provides. The Media tends to portray many stories differently by editing around the truth. The Media tends to portray many stories differently by editing around the truth.

Rules Governing the Media Radio and television stations must have a government license to operate and must achieve a variety of government regulations. Radio and television stations must have a government license to operate and must achieve a variety of government regulations. Newspapers and magazines need no license to publish, their freedom to publish may not be restrained. Newspapers and magazines need no license to publish, their freedom to publish may not be restrained. Once something is published, a newspaper or magazine may be sued or prosecuted if the material is libelous obscene or if it incites someone to commit and illegal act. Once something is published, a newspaper or magazine may be sued or prosecuted if the material is libelous obscene or if it incites someone to commit and illegal act.

Confidentiality of Sources Reporters believe that they should have the right to keep confidential the sources of their stories, some states agree and other states don’t. Reporters believe that they should have the right to keep confidential the sources of their stories, some states agree and other states don’t.

Regulating Broadcasting No one may operate a radio or television station without a license from the federal communication. No one may operate a radio or television station without a license from the federal communication. Many stations are allowed to compete with other stations to see who serves its community better. Many stations are allowed to compete with other stations to see who serves its community better. People can choose what they want to hear or see without the governments shaping the content. People can choose what they want to hear or see without the governments shaping the content.

Campaigning Candidates wish to campaign on radio or television, equal rules apply. Candidates wish to campaign on radio or television, equal rules apply. A station or network could not broadcast a debate between the democratic and republican candidates for an office without inviting other candidates. A station or network could not broadcast a debate between the democratic and republican candidates for an office without inviting other candidates. Candidates can buy time at favorable rates on television. Candidates can buy time at favorable rates on television.

Are the national media biased? Trial Balloon: information leaked to the media to test public reaction to a possible policy. Trial Balloon: information leaked to the media to test public reaction to a possible policy. Loaded Language: words that imply a value judgment, used to persuade a reader without having made a serious argument. Loaded Language: words that imply a value judgment, used to persuade a reader without having made a serious argument.

Cont… Routine Stories: media stories about events that are regularly covered by reporters. Routine Stories: media stories about events that are regularly covered by reporters. Feature Stories: Media stories about events that, though public, are not regularly covered by reporters. Feature Stories: Media stories about events that, though public, are not regularly covered by reporters. Insider Stories: media stories about events that are not usually made public. Insider Stories: media stories about events that are not usually made public.

Cont… Selective Attention: Paying attention only to those news stories with which one already agrees. Selective Attention: Paying attention only to those news stories with which one already agrees. Adversarial Press: the tendency of the national media to be suspicious of officials and eager to reveal unflattering stories about them. Adversarial Press: the tendency of the national media to be suspicious of officials and eager to reveal unflattering stories about them.