As you come in… On a sheet of paper: 1.What do you read, watch, listen to, or view on a weekly basis? 2.From your list, what items are tools used by the media? 3.What does the word “media” mean to you?

Mass Media

Types:  Print media-newspapers, magazines, newsletters, books, and pamphlets  Electronic media- radio, TV, internet

Impact of the media: 1.Sets public agenda The public agenda are problems and issues that receive the most time from the media. The media has the power to define an issue as a problem and publicize the issue to the public.

Example: 2008 Presidential Election: William Ayers

Impact of the media 2. Identify Candidates Through debates, commercials, and the news the mass media introduces candidates to the public. The mass media follows elections to keep the public informed.

Example: Commercials from the gubernatorial election:  Bob McDonnell Bob McDonnell Bob McDonnell  Creigh Deeds Creigh Deeds Creigh Deeds

Impact of the media 3. Broadcast points of view Allows the media and public to express their opinions and ideas through editorials, op-eds, political cartoons, and commercials that support or critique candidates or political parties.

Example: Citizen’s view on the gubernatorial election: After the debate After the debate

Impact of the media 4. Allow candidates to communicate to the public Candidates can share their ideas and opinions through debates and commercials. They can also critique other candidates, political parties, and the current government.

Example Bob McDonnell and Creigh Deeds were able to share their ideas in the recent debate. debate

Protecting the media 1 st Amendment The 1 st Amendment state that the media has freedom from prior restraint or government censorship on material before it is published.

Protecting the media Regulations The Federal Communication Commission is a government agency that has the power to regulate media. The commission cannot censor broadcasts buy they can penalize stations that violate the rules.

Protecting the media Regulations The media is not allowed to publish false information to harm another person. This is called libel.

Protecting the media Regulations It is extremely difficult for candidates to charge the media with libel during campaigns because they must prove malice, or that the publisher of the information knew that is was false or showed a “reckless disregard” for the truth.

Evaluating Information It is important for YOU as a citizen to make informed choices when voting for a candidate. During election time political parties use the media to present the electorate with a lot of information. While a lot of it is true and accurate, some is also propaganda.

Evaluating Information Evaluating information makes you an informed citizen who can vote for what they believe, rather than vote based on propaganda.

How to evaluate: 1. Separate FACT from FICTION- Being educated about the issues and facts of the election will help to determine what is false info.

2. Detect bias Tell the difference between propaganda and accurate information 3.Evaluate the source providing the information- Know who published it and why it was published. 4.Identify the propaganda technique

Your turn to evaluate an ad… T.V. Ad T.V. Ad