1. Media as a Linkage Institution

2. Why is media a linkage institution? Media educates citizens and politicians For politicians, candidates, and interest groups: – They use media to communicate a message integral to political success Politicians want to: gain control of and influence the political agenda

3. Media Events! Politicians will often hold media events to communicate an image Typically, a candidate will spend 60-70% of his/her campaign funds on television ads, commercials, print media, etc. Media Event example: – President Barack Obama – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d-QDfEMXAgk https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d-QDfEMXAgk – What is President Obama proposing in this video? What is he trying to do/change? _______________________________________________ _______________________________

4. Types of media Broadcast media: television programs, more popularly watched and followed – Examples: Nightly News (not with Brian Williams anymore…womp womp), ABC World News Tonight, etc. Print media: written news articles; these are commonly more popular amongst the more politically informed, activist types – Examples: The Washington Post, The New York Times, The Washington Times, USA Today

5. The Rise of Cable News Narrowcasting: viewers can select what information they want and what they do not want (selective attention/”tuning stuff out”) and they would rather watch sitcoms, TV dramas, reality T.V., etc. As a result, the electorate is less knowledgeable, more suspicious of politicians, more unaware of everyday political activity, and policymaking/agenda, and simply less politically involved

6. 20 th Century (and beyond) Changes to Media Radio, T.V., press conferences, debate, internet (i.e. youtube debates, individual websites, etc.) In the 1800s, we had yellow journalism; today, we have investigative journalism = detective-like reporting methods to unearth scandals and negative interest stories – Today, this makes news more adversarial and watchdog

7. 1960s- Present More negative More focused on politician’s daily behaviors and personality  lack of depth in content SOUND BITES: 10 seconds on average; in the ‘60s, they were 40 seconds

8. Roles of Media Watchdog – Scrutinizing the behavior and decisions of public officials – Since the 1970s, there has been a significant rise in the popularity of investigative journalism – Clips: http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2014/08/22/pentagon- violated-law-with-bergdahl-prisoner-swap-government- watchdog-says/ http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2014/08/22/pentagon- violated-law-with-bergdahl-prisoner-swap-government- watchdog-says/ http://thedailyshow.cc.com/videos/4d109s/investigating- investigative-journalism http://thedailyshow.cc.com/videos/4d109s/investigating- investigative-journalism http://thecolbertreport.cc.com/videos/44gj25/who-s- watching-the-watchdog----liam-mccormack

9. Roles of Media, Con’t. Gatekeeper/agenda setter – The media determines what they will print or ain and in turn, this dramatically affects what the public knows about – Clip: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/07/06/media- jobs-report-2012-election_n_1654738.html

10. Roles of Media, Con’t. Scorekeeper/horserace journalism – Media keeps track of where candidates and those in office stand in the polls, especially during an election year – Clip: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/11/05/polls- 2012_n_2038645.html http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/11/05/polls- 2012_n_2038645.html http://video.foxnews.com/v/4000389588001/poll- numbers-encouraging-mitt-romney/#sp=show-clips http://video.foxnews.com/v/4000389588001/poll- numbers-encouraging-mitt-romney/#sp=show-clips