1. Monitoring and Influencing Government
Make An Impact!
SS.7.C.2.10 Examine the impact of media, individuals, and interest groups on monitoring and influencing government.
Monitoring and Influencing Government

2. VOTE RUN FOR OFFICE Warm Up!
How can individuals participate in government?
VOTE
RUN FOR OFFICE
Attend civic meetings
In lesson 2.2 Responsibilities and Obligations students learned about different ways they can participate in government. Review some of these methods of participation and explain how they impact government.
Join a civic group
Petition the government

3. The Importance of Civic Participation
Why is participating in government important?
Influence government
Have your voice heard about issues, problems and policies.
Monitor government
Make sure the government is doing its job
Make sure your rights are being protected and not violated
Make sure we hold government accountable (responsible)

4. Groups Who Influence and Monitor Government
Individuals
Interest Groups
Political Action Committees
Media
Groups Who Influence and Monitor Government

5. Individuals
Individuals can influence and monitor government through political participation including:
Voting
Petitioning the government
Joining civic groups and interest groups
Running for political office
Attending civic meetings
Communicating with elected officials, participating in protests, and more…
Ask students how each of these methods of participation can influence government.
Ask them how each of these methods serve to monitor the government.
Have students evaluate how individuals can impact government by asking them what they think the best way to influence and monitor government is. Have students explain their answer. This can be done as a group discussion or as a small writing assignment.
What do you think is the BEST way for an individual to influence government? Monitor government?

6. Other ways individuals monitor government
Stay informed!
Watch government proceedings
Keep up-to-date on legislation of interest
Students can stay informed through various media outlets, watch government proceedings (local, state, and federal – in person, online, and on television), and keep up to date on legislation through bill-tracking technology available online.

7. Special Interest Groups
Any association of individuals or organizations, united by shared concerns, attempts to influence public policy in its favor
Use ad campaigns and media to get attention for their cause
Hold benefits and fundraisers
Interest groups often “lobby” to influence public policy
Highlight some well-known interest groups like the American Civil Liberties Union, People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals, Mothers Against Drunk Driving, and the National Rifle Association. Ask students if they can think of any other interest groups (League of Women Voters, Students Against Drunk Driving, American Association of Retired Persons, Veterans of Foreign Wars, etc. Also have students consider issues that might have interest groups promoting a cause (environment, agriculture, education, public safety issues, etc.).
List of SIGs:
Interest groups also work to monitor government by tracking policies and legislation, attending hearings, and keeping informed.

8. Issue: Gun Control
Tell students they will be looking at the home page of two interest groups – one advocating for the prevention of gun violence and the other advocating for the protection of second amendment rights. Have students highlight how each organization calls on people to participate (joining the organization, contacting Congress, becoming informed about issues, etc.) and the methods they use to promote their cause.

9. Word to define: LOBBYING
The practice of trying to persuade legislators to propose, pass, or defeat legislation or to change existing laws
Lobbyist: may work for a group, organization, or industry, and presents information on legislative proposals to support his or her clients' interests
Lobbying got its name because of the interactions/deals that happened between politicians, lobbyists, and constituents that often took place in the lobbies outside of government chambers (British Parliament). There is also a story centered around Ulysess S. Grant and the “lobbyists” who used to buy him drinks in the lobby of the Willard Hotel seeking political favors.
Lobbyists are bound by federal guidelines in the Lobbying Disclosure Act:

10. What interests you? What is a cause that you feel strongly about?
Find an interest group that promotes your cause and aligns with your position!
If students have ready access to tablets/computers, this quick research extension can be included during the lesson. Otherwise, this can be an extension or homework assignment.
What interests you?

11. Political Action Committee
A group that raises and spends money to influence elections or legislation.
PACs can hire lobbyists to advocate (or lobby) for their position
PACs are the money behind many elections and campaigns/ballot initiatives.

12. Media Name some forms of “media” that you know
Television newscasts
Newspapers
Websites
Podcasts
Social media
Magazines
Radio
The media often serves as a government “watchdog”.
Watchdogs are organizations that seek to watch over government institutions and hold those institutions and officials accountable.
The media acts as both a gatekeeper and a watchdog. Media often controls which issues get public attention. They also monitor government through their watchdog function, exposing when government institutions fumble, how those institutions/officals are held accountable.

13. How does media influence government?
Determine which issues get public attention
Students should know that the media controls which issues get a lot of public attention. Ask students what they have heard a lot about in the news: Elections? Immigration? Gun control?

14. How does media influence government?
What are some current government issues/events being covered by the media?
What is the role and impact of the media in covering these events?
What other ways could the public obtain this information?
After learning about the events/issues, what could you do as an individual to directly influence government actions?
Ask students what would happen if the government owned the media. What would the news look like? What kinds of stories would be covered?

15. Media Bias
Often times, different media outlets show a bias, or a display of favor for or against someone or something.
Media bias: good or bad?
Some media outlets may devote more time to certain issues, candidates, and/or causes than other outlets.
Under our Constitution, freedom of press allows media outlets to report on issues and watch over government institutions. It also guarantees that the news reaching the people is not controlled by the government. A benefit of media bias is that certain media outlets appeal to the interests of certain audiences and highlight issues important to those individuals.
Issues with media bias: misinformation, lack of information, incomplete information (only provides one side of a story)
Remind students that there are multiple sides to every story because stories are seen from different perspectives. Consulting multiple media outlets will help gain a more complete perspective on different items in the news.
Distinguish between news and political talk shows and/or debates.

16. ?
Which group – individuals, interest groups, political action committees, or media – have the MOST impact on government?
What do you think?

17. ?
Which methods are the best ways to influence and/or monitor the government?
What do you think?

18. Answer the question below: