1. Media & Politics

2. Media Act as a linkage institution between people and policymakers
Overall, media in America enjoys much more freedom than any other nation
It has become a love-hate relationship between the politicians and media

3. Evolution of the Media Party press
Federalist papers, Anti-Federalist papers, Gazette of the US, The National Gazette,

4. Evolution of the Media Popular press Pulitzer & Hearst
Exposed political corruption and scandal
Muckrakers
Yellow journalism
Magazines of opinion
Political reform

5. Evolution of the Media Broadcast journalism Radio Television
CBS NBC ABC

6. Evolution of the Media
Narrowcasting
Internet
Social Media

7. National Press Ex: Time, Newsweek, CNN, Fox Important for two reasons:
1. Government officials in DC pay great attention to what these media say about them and their programs
2. Reporters and editors for the national press tend to differ from those who work for the local press

8. 3 Roles of National Press
Gatekeeper
They influence what subjects become national political issues and for how long
Scorekeeper
They track political reputations and candidacies. Cover elections as though they are horse races rather than choices among policy alternatives. Media momentum during presidential primary season is crucial
Watchdog
They investigate personalities and expose scandal

9. Government Influence on Media
Newspapers are almost entirely free from govt. regulation
1st Amendment protects them from prior restraint (censorship before something is printed) Ex. Pentagon Papers
Can be sued after publication but Supreme Court has ruled narrowly on libel and obscenity
Confidentiality of sources

10. Government Influence on Media
Radio and television are heavily regulated by govt.
Federal Communications Commission (FCC)
Independent regulatory agency
Must have licenses to operate
Equal time rule
Right-of-reply rule
Political editorializing rule
Fairness doctrine—abolished by FCC
Violated 1st Amendment rights

13. AP Exam
Role of the media and its impact on public opinion and the political agenda
Limits on the media
Bias of the media
Agenda Setting