1. Media “The 4 th Branch of Government” Another LINKAGE INSTITUTION

2. Functions of the Media Entertainment News Agenda setting – ability of the media to draw public attention to certain issues and to ignore other issues Political forum – place to make announcements or advertise government

3. Structure of Media Print media – newspaper, magazine, etc. –Oldest, being steadily replaced Electronic Media – radio, TV –TV now is the primary source of news Internet – instant information, any time –Replacing print and electronic media –Blogs (short for Web Log) –527’s – groups that independently raise money and campaign for and against people –Not regulated by the FEDERAL Election Commission

4. Media Conglomerates WHO OWNS THE NEWS??? WHO OWNS INFORMATION?

5. Media Conglomerates Gannet owns USA Today and controls the biggest circulation in the nation + owns 100 additional papers Rupert Murdoch owns 124 radio stations, New York Post, Weekly Standard, and FOX News

6. Case Study - Viacom Media Conglomerate – Viacom CBS News MTV VH1 BET Blockbuster Paramount Pictures Nickelodeon DreamWorks Showtime

7. Government Regulation 1 st Amendment – freedom of press Gov’t can’t place “prior restraint” on news (can’t censor news before it is released) The press is not entirely free

8. FCC Federal Communications Commission Controls the media, no one may operate radio or TV stations without their license Who are they? – 5 members (no more than 3 from the same political party) nominated by US President for 5 years.

9. FCC “Friends” Howard Stern Eminem“Man Cow”

10. Telecommunications Act of 1996 Relaxed limitations on media ownership –Own up to 35% of television market –Own unlimited % of radio Remember Rockefeller and Horizontal Integration???

11. Impact of Media on Politics “sound bites” – second long segments Stories/political messages are shortened, and made to seem less complex than reality

12. Media and Political Campaigns Advertising – very expensive on TV, way to reach many voters, raising campaign costs News coverage – “free” coverage, politicians will attempt to create events where media will attend for free publicity –Spin doctor – one who tries to influence journalists with interpretations of events that are favorable to the candidate Presidential Debates

13. Media and Gov’t Officials White House Press Corp – journalists whose sole job is to follow the President White House Press Secretary – responsible for addressing the press daily and answer questions for the president –Tony Snow, former FOX broadcaster –Dana Perino took over 9-14-07