The American Media Liz Bonnett and Anya Kim

Two Way Relationship Politicians and Media o Politicians take advantage o Not an exact mirrorof politics-editing, appeals to specific audiences, opinions of the members of the media

Competition Newspapers (60%) Radio TV o 11 thousand cable TV systems Europe vs. USA o Europe is more nationalized o US is more local Federal Communications Commission regulates

National Media Wire Services (AP), national radio, news magazines and TV NYT & WSJ o Quantity, have political elite attention o Influence radio and talk shows o More educated/ experienced writers (also more liberal) Roles of Press o Gatekeeper- What is an issue? o Watchdog- Keep tabs and make $$$ o Scorekeeper- “Horse races”

Rules Governing Media Newspapers-no license First Amendment o no “prior restraints” Libel, obscene, incitement o very narrowly defined Illegal to use printed words to advocate overthrow of government Privacy laws for citizens o name and picture can be printed w/o consent

Confidentiality of Sources Reporters and Government disagree o Reporters Government E.g. Supreme Court-general vs. Farber o His source was killing patient o Farber went to jail (wouldn’t reveal source)  Decision: Right to fair trial > Confidentiality Government can search newspaper offices o Congress revoked- Need subpoena

Regulating Broadcasting ●License from FCC ○ Renewal standards-7 years radio, 5 years TV ●Regulation gone down ●Telecommunication Act ○ 8 in large markets, 5 in small markets, could use it nationally ●Fairness Doctrine ○ give time to opposing view-abandoned ●Equal Time Rule ○ sell advertising time to one political candidate equally to opponents

Are the National Media Biased? ●What are the views of the national media? ○ More liberal, secular (p. 303) ○ Public recognizes ○ Radio Talk Shows- Conservative ●Do the beliefs of the media affect the news? ○ Should be neutral and objective ○ Opportunity for bias changes depending on the type of article ■ Routine stories, feature stories and insider stories ○ Public distrust has grown

Are the National Media Biased? Does what the media write or say influence how their readers and viewers think? o Some will and some won’t be influenced o Selective attention- Remember/ believe what they want to o Studies of this would be very hard to conduct o Really in depth study- Found editorials affect news coverage, and news coverage affects public attitudes o Also affect what policy issues people think are important o Media has more influence in things people aren’t familiar with o Proof that it affects politics- Political campaigns

Citations 1. strategy/ strategy/