14 The News Media

Video: The Big Picture 14 IA_1/polisci/presidency/OConner_Ch14_The_News_Media_ Seg1_v2.html

Trace the historical development of the news media in the United States Characterize four major trends in the news media today Learning Objectives 14

Summarize the ethnical standards and federal regulations that govern the news media Assess how the news media cover politics Learning Objectives 14

Evaluate the influence of the news media on public policy and the impact of media bias 14.5 Learning Objectives 14

Video: The Basics IA_1/polisci/presidency/Seg2_Media_v2.html 14

Roots of the News Media in the United States  Print Media  Radio News  TV News  Online Media 14.1

Video: In Context IA_1/polisci/presidency/Seg3_Media_v2.html

Print Media  First colonial newspapers printed 1690 Value of free press recognized early  Penny press New York Sun Sensational and scandalous Payoffs common Yellow journalism  Muckraking Exposing misconduct 14.1

Did the practice of yellow journalism contribute to the rise of objective journalism? 14.1

Radio News  Center of home life FDR’s “fireside chats”  Displaced by TV in 1950s AM talk radio No talk radio for liberals, NPR not biased 14.1

TV News  Gradually replaced print and radio By 2011, most receive news from TV or Internet  Network v. cable news Fox News most popular  C-SPAN 14.1

Online Media  The Internet Main news source for 41% Lack of credibility, standards  Blogs Editorial news outlet  Social media Political debate Reach and engage citizens 14.1

a.Internet b.Newspapers c.Television d.Radio 14.1 How do most Americans get their news today? 14.1

a.Internet b.Newspapers c.Television d.Radio 14.1 How do most Americans get their news today? 14.1

Explore the Media: Where Do You Get Your Political News? _12/pex/pex14.html 14.1

Current News Media Trends  Corporate Ownership and Media Consolidation  Narrowcasting  Infotainment  Increasing Use of Experts  Citizen Journalists 14.2

Corporate Ownership and Media Consolidation  Private ownership = independence For-profit business Pressure to consolidate, eliminate competition  Risks of consolidation Limit flow of information Focus on what sells Please advertisers 14.2

Narrowcasting  Targeting specific populations  News audiences divided along partisan lines  Appeals to preexisting views 14.2

TABLE 14.1: How do media outlets relate to party affiliation? 14.2

Infotainment  Blending information and entertainment  Political leaders use these shows Reach larger audiences Humanize politician  Audience sophistication matters 14.2

Increasing Use of Experts  Talking heads fill airtime  Who are these experts? Officials, consultants, former politicians, academics, etc.  Influence on the public Lack of objectivity Weaken democratic deliberation 14.2

How do experts influence news coverage? 14.2

Citizen Journalists  Ordinary individuals Collect, report, and analyze Post content not covered Provide on the scene coverage Cheaper than hiring reporters  Problems with amateur reporting Lack of objectivity Quality varies 14.2

a.Focus on sensationalism b.Pleasing advertisers is a priority c.Profit drives all decisions d.All of the above 14.2 Which of the following is a pitfall of corporate ownership and consolidation of news media? 14.2

a.Focus on sensationalism b.Pleasing advertisers is a priority c.Profit drives all decisions d.All of the above 14.2 Which of the following is a pitfall of corporate ownership and consolidation of news media? 14.2

Rules Governing the News Media  Journalistic Standards  Government Regulations 14.3

Journalistic Standards  Professional norms and integrity  Code of Ethics Avoiding conflicts of interest Verifying information  Dealing with sources On/off the record On/deep background 14.3

How do journalists use information obtained on deep background? 14.3

Government Regulations  Libel and slander are illegal  Prior restraint New York Times v. U.S. (1971)  Electronic media regulated more heavily Airwaves are public property Limited supply  Media ownership Telecommunications Act (1996)  Content Equal time rule 14.3

Video: In the Real World IA_1/polisci/presidency/Seg5_Media_v2.html 14.3

14.3 What type of information obtained by a journalist cannot be reported? a.On the record b.On background c.Off the record d.Deep background 14.3

14.3 What type of information obtained by a journalist cannot be reported? a.On the record b.On background c.Off the record d.Deep background 14.3

Explore the Simulation: You Are the Newspaper Editor _1/2013_mpsl_sim/simulation.html?simulaURL=

How the News Media Cover Politics  How the Press and Public Figures Interact  Covering the Presidency  Covering Congress  Covering the Supreme Court 14.4

How the Press and Public Figures Interact  Press release Official written document  Press briefing Press secretary represents official Q&A on specific topic  Press conference General Q&A with official 14.4

Covering the Presidency  Receives most media coverage  Prestigious post for a reporter  Daily Q&A with press secretary 14.4

Covering Congress  Logistical challenge 535 members  Focus on party leaders Majority and minority leaders in both houses Whips  Key committee chairs  Coverage is negative Focus on scandals and conflict 14.4

Covering the Supreme Court  Media vacuum TV cameras not permitted Few reporters cover Court Complex legal issues harder to present Justices rarely grant interviews 14.4

How does the media cover the Supreme Court? 14.4

a.No public interest in Court proceedings b.Justices impose gag rule on printing information about pending cases c.Constitution forbids covering Court d.TV cameras not allowed in Why is coverage of the Supreme Court limited?

a.No public interest in Court proceedings b.Justices impose gag rule on printing information about pending cases c.Constitution forbids covering Court d.TV cameras not allowed in Why is coverage of the Supreme Court limited?

Toward Reform: News Media, Influence, News Media Bias, and Public Confidence  News Media Influence  News Media Bias  Public Confidence 14.5

News Media Influence  Media effects Influencing public opinion  Agenda setting Influence issues addressed by government  Framing How an issue is portrayed affects how it is perceived Greater influence on foreign policy Less personal experience 14.5

Video: Thinking Like a Political Scientist IA_1/polisci/presidency/Seg4_Media_v2.html 14.5

News Media Bias  Journalists are biased Values, preferences, attitudes  How are news media biased Elite bias Dramatic bias  News media stardom 14.5

Public Confidence  Assessment unfavorable Inaccurate Biased Rich and powerful influence coverage  Valuable watchdog role 14.5

a.Through agenda setting b.Via issue framing c.By focusing on the negative d.All of the above How does the media influence public opinion?

a.Through agenda setting b.Via issue framing c.By focusing on the negative d.All of the above How does the media influence public opinion?

Discussion Question How have America’s sources of political information changed throughout U.S. history? What are some of the advantages and disadvantages to the blurring of the lines between news producer and consumer? 14

Video: So What? IA_1/polisci/presidency/OConner_Ch14_The_News_Media_ Seg6_v2.html 14

Further Review: On MyPoliSciLab  Listen to the Chapter  Study and Review the Flashcards  Study and Review the Practice Tests 14