Chapter 11.2 The Mass Media

Types of Media  The mass media influence politics and gov’t. They also form a link between the people and elected officials.  Newspapers, magazines, newsletters and books are print media. Radio, TV and the Internet are electronic media.  The media are businesses that operate for a profit. They run the news they think will attract the largest audience.

continued  TV is the most important medium for politics because it reaches the most people. However, print media provide deeper coverage.  Internet users can get information whenever they wish. They can also get more information than brief radio or TV reports provide.

The Media’s Impact on Politics and Government  The problems that receive the most time, money and effort from gov’t leaders make up the public agenda. The media have great influence on which problems gov’ts consider important. They publicize some while other go unnoticed.  The modern media enable people with little political experience to run for office.

continued  Elected officials and the press need one another, yet they often clash.  Elected officials want the media to show them as hardworking, effective leaders. With the help of press secretaries, they hold news conferences, give interviews and stage media events.

continued  Officials may secretly pass on, or leak, information to friendly reporters. Leaks allow them to test public reaction before deciding whether to publicly move ahead with a proposal or to quietly drop it. They also use leaks to make competing officials look bad, to change public opinion on an issue or to gain favor with a reporter.

continued  Leaks benefit reporters by allowing them to report “inside” information.  The mass media play a “watchdog” role. By exposing gov’t misconduct, they serve both their interests and the public interest.  Recently journalists have begun looking for scandal in officials’ private as well as public lives. Critics say this practice will drive good people out of politics.

continued  There is tension between the American citizens’ need for information and the need for the gov’t to keep secrets to protect national security. The gov’t can control information the media report by classifying it as secret and limiting coverage of military actions.

Protecting the Media  Democracy requires a free flow of information and ideas.  The 1 st Amendment protects freedom of the press, which today includes all media.  The Supreme Court has ruled that freedom of the press includes freedom from prior restraint, or gov’t censorship of material before it is published. Journalists can report what they want, even if it is unpopular or embarrassing to officials.

continued  Freedom of the press does not allow reporters to publish false information that will harm someone’s reputation. This is libel. The Supreme Court ruled that to win a libel suit, public officials must prove malice – that the publisher knew the material was false or showed reckless disregard for the truth.

continued  The gov’t has the power to decide who gets access to the limited number of airwaves available for radio and TV broadcasting. The Federal Communications Commission cannot censor broadcasts, but it can penalize stations that violate its rules.