1

Modern Period

State

Economy

Civil Society

Family

Voluntary Associations

NewspapersTVFilmRadioAdvertising

1900s-1990s

Public Sphere

2

Media and the “Public Interest”Media and the “Public Interest”

3

4

“Television is just another appliance. It's a toaster with pictures. Let the people decide through the marketplace mechanisms what they wish to see and hear. Why is there this national obsession to tamper with this box of transistors and tubes when we don't do the same for Time magazine?" --Mark Fowler, FCC Chairman, 1981

5

Media & The Power to DoMedia & The Power to Do

Lobby

Campaign Contributions

Junkets

6

1996 Telecommunications Act1996 Telecommunications Act

Broadcast ownership restrictions lifted

Terms of Licenses extended to 8 years

Allows cross-media ownership

Gives away digital spectrum

7

How do Candidates Reach People?

TELEVISION ADS

$6B: Amount of money spent in 2012 presidential campaign

Makes Up as Much as 14% of Revenues For local TV News

Stations in Election Years

8

Proposed Amendment to BCRA (2002)Proposed Amendment to BCRA (2002)

“Television Broadcasters must offer politicalcandidates reduced rates for their TV ads…”

14 amendments offered on the floorof the House to weaken

or kill this provisionProvision voted down327-101