The Media Chapter 6

USA Today

The Wall Street Journal

The New York Times

National Enquirer

Time

Newsweek

US News & World Report

Alternative Newsmagazines

Radio Larger audience More entertainment value Personality-based & immediate 1933: FDR’s first “fireside chat” 1937: Hindenburg explosion

Television 1960: in 87% of US households Reshapes the political landscape 1980: CNN (Turner) begins 24-hr news 1996: Fox News (Murdoch) makes it visually appealing, begins “news” empire 1960 Presidential Debate

24-hr Cable News

Gov’t Regulation of the Media Federal Radio Act (1927) – Created licensing of radio stations (public airwaves) Federal Communications Commission est – independent federal agency that regulates radio, television, telegraph, cable & satellite transmission Telecommunications Act of 1996 – Relaxed/scrapped limitations on media ownership – Consolidation of broadcast, telephone & cable – Lifted rate regulations for cable systems

Regulation of Content Fairness Doctrine – Broadcasters must provide fair coverage of all views on public issues Equal opportunities rule – Broadcasters must make equal time available (same circumstances) to all political candidates Reasonable access rule: – Broadcasters must make their facilities available (to all responsible elements in the community) to express conflicting views

Functions of the Media Hard News – Serious & timely events that warrant coverage Soft News / infotainment – Information & diversion focused on personalities or celebrities…usually unrelated to public affairs or policy Yellow Journalism – Sensationalistic, irresponsible journalism – “The Yellow Kid” from the NY World – Glen Beck Example Glen Beck Example

Reporting the News News – important event that has happened within the past 24 hours White House Press Corps – Reporters regularly assigned to cover the president (~7000 reporters) Press Secretary – Represents the White House before the media – Currently: Josh Earnest – Daily Show: White House Press Secretary Job Description 2005 Daily Show: White House Press Secretary Job Description 2005

Interpreting & Presenting the News Gatekeepers – media executives, news editors, and prominent reporters who direct the flow of news Sound Bite – Brief statement of no longer than a few seconds used on a radio or television broadcast Horse race journalism – election coverage by the mass media that focuses on which candidate is ahead rather than on national issues. Media events – Events so “newsworthy” that the media are compelled to cover it

Sound Bites Politicians and other public figures now write speeches to accommodate this trend. Short sound bites means less analysis & explanation!

Setting the Political Agenda Political agenda – List of issues that need government attention Muckraker – Journalist, author or filmmaker who investigates & exposes societal issues… often sensationalistic

Evaluating the Media Bias – Inclination or preference that interferes with impartial judgment – Two sides of the bias argument: a) Reporters are said to have a liberal bias b) Media owners have a conservative bias Spin – Particular viewpoint or bias; slant Watchdog journalism – press scrutiny of public and business; investigating & publicizing misconduct Attack journalism – press coverage that questions the character or qualifications of a public official

Ownership Media Ownership – 1983: 50 corps own a majority of media outlets – Today: 7 corps own a majority of media outlets – – (TV Funhouse video) Interlocking Directorates –

1980s: Business & media deregulation begins 1996: Telecommunication Act relaxed limits