Chapter 10 The Media

What do these organizations have in common?

What Makes Up the Media? Broadcast Media TV

Cable TV news networks….

Broadcast Media (con’t) ….And Radio

Print Media Newspapers…..

Print Media (cont) ….And News Magazines…

….And The Internet….

What Roles Do the Media Play in Government? Gatekeeper: They influence what subjects become national political issues and for how long.

Watchdog: Investigates personalities and exposes scandals

Scorekeeper: Tracks political reputations and candidacies Cover elections as horse races rather than choices of policy alternatives. Media momentum during presidential primary season is crucial

How Does the Media Influence Politics? National Conventions have been changed to fit the needs of TV broadcasts Candidates win nominations with media ads that bypass parties Interests groups use it to get items on the national agenda

How Do Politicians use the Media? Trial Balloons: Information sent to the media to gauge the public’s reaction.

The President’s Press Secretary

Duties of the Press Secretary Brief the president on questions he is likely to be asked and …

Meet regularly with reporters, putting a favorable “spin” on events and…

Attempt to control the flow of news coming from the White House

Bias and the Decline in Public Trust of the Media

Government Influence on the Media Congress shall make no law… abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press…. United States Constitution, Amendment I

BUT…There Are Legal Restrictions Defamation: (Libel and slander) National Security: Troop movements and highly secret issues can be censored Obscenity “Clear and Present Danger” Radio and TV rules are different….

Defamation New York Times v Sullivan (1964) To be held responsible for libel of a public official, the plaintiff must show that the newspaper printed the story with malice, i.e. “with reckless disregard for the truth.”

National Security New York Times v United States (1971) aka “The Pentagon Papers Case” “Prior Restraints” on the publication of info are illegal except in narrowly defined situations (Troop movements)

Obscenity Miller v California (1972) Material is obscene if: It appeals to the prurient interests It is patently offensive because it violates contemporary community standards It is without redeeming social value

“Clear and Present Danger Schenk v United States (1919) and Abrams v United States (1919) Actions (or words) that incite someone to engage in actions that pose an immediate threat to government can be punished.

Radio and TV Licensed and regulated by the FCC that must be renewed periodically. Complaints about the station will prompt scrutiny in the renewal process. Campaigns: Equal access for all candidates Rates no more than the cheapest commercial rate

Telecommunications Act (1996) A company may own as many as eight radio stations in a large market (5 in a small market) May own as many stations as it wants nationwide Consequences: A few companies own most stations (Clearchannel owns over 1200) Looser editorial restrictions mean a greater variety of opinions can be found on radio