1. America’s Bias Media Outlets

2. Objectives
Demonstrate how the characteristics of the electronic media have affected the actions of public officials and candidates for national office.
Discuss the issue of “media bias” and how this bias might manifest itself. Assess the impact of such bias, if it exists, on the electorate.

3. Describe the impact of the pattern of ownership and control of the media on the dissemination of the news.
Show how wire services and TV networks have affected national news coverage.
Discuss the impact of the national press.

4. Journalism in American History

5. Popular Media Outlets: What shapes America’s views
Newspapers
Television
Radio
World Wide Web

6. Media Making the Candidate
Presidential Candidates must look the part due to T.V.
Not only looks but the way they sound.
Example:
A relative unknown can gain necessary exposure to win nominations.
Has led to celebrity types to become involved in politics: actors, athletes etc..

7. Popular Press
Changes in society and technology made possible self-supporting, mass readership daily newspapers.
Associated Press- objective reporting and systemic distribution of info. since 1848.

8. The Associated Press
Tends to be a reliable source and often quoted as an international news agency in foreign affairs.
As reported by the…
According to the…

9. Partisanship in mass-readership newspapers reflected the views of publishers, editors, and owners.
Stories blend political beliefs and economic interests.

10. Magazines and Periodicals
Became more popular in the mid-1800s to early 1900s.
Targeted a more educated and sophisticated audience.
Magazines readership is now in a steady decline.
Examples: Harper’s in the 1850s-60s, McClure’s and Cosmopolitan.

11. Examples
general-interest magazine covering literature, politics, culture, and finance.

12. Electronic Outlets Radios in the 1920s and Television in the 1940s.
Less access for politicians in this format over print media.
Sound bites make it difficult for politicians to convey message.
More resources currently available- Cable, Early morning news, allow politicians greater access and time to the world.

13. The Internet Growing importance- 40% of U.S. connected.
Free and Open Market for news- from stations, chat rooms, blogs and personal WebPages.
Increased communication b/w politicians, activists and voters.

14. Media Structure
Newspapers: Daily subscription in decline, as there is number of competing newspapers.
Radio and Television: becoming more competitive and more popular.
U.S. press is localized and locally owned as well, which are oriented towards local market.

15. National Media Consists of different avenues: Wire Services- AP
National Magazines: Time, NewsWeek
Network News Shows (ABC, CBS, NBC)
Cable Networks: CNN, Fox News, MSNBC
Newspapers: USAToday, New York Times, Wall Street Journal.

16. National Press Influence
Influence what subjects and information becomes national political news.
Tracks Political reputation and candidacies.
Investigates political personalities and also looks to uncover scandals.

17. Is the National Media Bias?
Generally more liberal than the average person.
Conservative outlets have become more apparent in recent years: Fox News
Talk Radio is primarily conservative- Rush Limbaugh, appeal is to the suburbs and rural areas.
Liberal outlets tend to be along racial and ethnic lines: CNN

18. National Bias media affect information?
Journalism values the idea of remaining objective and neutral.
Does not apply to editorials or talk radio.

19. Bias in Stories?
Routine Stories: cover major political events; Congress passes a bill, little room for bias- all reporters write the same way.
Feature Stories: Public Events that receive little press; agency adopts a new ruling, often reflects writer’s views.
Insider Stories: Secretive, gov’t insider leaks story, can reflect writer’s views.

20. The Power of Leaks
Since branches of government and competitive parties the press is viewed as a weapon to be used to sway the people.
Most leaks can be printed legally due to most secrets not being of national security.

21. Leaks and Background Types
On the Record: Reporter can quote official by name.
Off the Record: What the official says cannot be used.
On background: info. can be used, but not quoted, but not attributed to source by name.
On deep background: info. can be used, not quoted, and not attributed to anybody or anonymous source.

22. Media’s Slant
Many people feel that the news coverage is slanted to meet the network’s bias.
That they have too much influence.
That they hide behind the Constitution and abuse the protections offered.

23. Don’t believe the Hype
Using sensationalism to help draw an audience in competitive media market becomes an issue.
Reporters may not check sources as carefully as they should, competition for stories and being the first to break story pressure.

24. Questions:
Does the popular press stoop to the lowest common denominator of interest and taste?