Media and Politics

I. Media’s Effect on Politics Media – ____________________________________ 1.Reporting events – keeps people informed 2.Press conferences/briefings – allows government officials to explain policies 3.Covering elections – expose candidates to the public 4.Influencing public opinion – ____________________________________________ – Bias – media leaders’ opinions can affect coverage of events (AKA Spin) – Propaganda – ___________________________________

II. Rights of the Media A.First Amendment 1. 2.Libel and slander are not protected B.Other rights 1. 2.Right to protect sources

III. Regulation of the Media Broadcast media is regulated by the Federal Communications Commission 1.FCC cannot censor, but can fine and revoke broadcast license if rules are not followed (ex. Obscenity) 2.Fairness Doctrine – _______________________________________________ _______________________________________________ – Not currently in force – Nonrenewal allowed for the rise of conservative talk radio (Rush Limbaugh, Sean Hannity, etc.) 3.Competition is encouraged – no monopolies (relaxed over time) 4.National Security – _______________________________________________ _______________________________________

IV. The Internet A.Outlets 1.Political websites 2. /social media 3.E-government – government websites 4.E-commerce – business over the internet B.Effects on the government/politics 1. 2.Information can spread quickly 3. 4.Less power for political parties 5.Less control – _______________________________

V. Examples 1.Spanish American War – _____________pushed the US into war over exaggerated coverage of the sinking of the USS Maine. 2.FDR’s Presidency – FDR gained support for the New Deal by using the ______________to explain his ideas (Fireside Chats) Election – in the first ________________ presidential debate, JFK “looked” better than Richard Nixon and ended up winning the election 4.Vietnam War – negative ______________________of the conflict caused diminished public support for the war and encouraged protests which were covered positively – US loses the war

V. Examples Mid-term Election – conservative _____________________ creates backlash against the Clinton administration and in the midterm election Republicans took control of both houses of Congress for the first time in decades Presidential Election – using the ____________________ and other media outlets, Vietnam veterans organize to contribute to the defeat of John Kerry 7.Presidency of Barack Obama - President Obama uses ________________to promote his policies