Chapter 10News Media

News organizations and journalists are referred to collectively as the news media or press.

Can includes newspaper, internet sites, tv broadcasts, and magazines

Has ongoing daily relations with politics here in the U.S.

Libel and slander difficult to prove

Press

Alexander Hamilton was instrumental in the creation of the first newspaper which was utilized to share information about George Washington’s policies

Partisan press: publishers who back a political party or candidate; was a form of propaganda seen early in this country

History

Yellow journalism: sensational journalism used to draw readers

Objective journalism: reporting of facts rather than opinion

New technology: the creation of the internet has changed the speed with which news can be shared

What kind of press exists now?

History

1. Over 1500 in US2. Many nonpartisan except for editorial

pages3. Differ in reporting styles 4. Dependent on wire services for

information5. Bigger paper (ex: the Washington Post)

may create their own news b/c have greater resources

Newspapers

Radio broadcasting came about in the early 20th century and was first national mass media

By 1950s 90% of homes had television Types of news venues:1. Radio talk shows2. Television Network News3. Cable television

Broadcast News

First televised Presidential debate was between Nixon and Kennedy in 1960 election

The internet has changed everything. The internet1. Shrinks the world2. Gets news out immediately3. Is largely unregulated

New News Mediums

Signaling: seek to alert the public to import events as soon as possible

Agenda: can focus the public’s attention thereby influencing public opinions and policy agendas

Common-carrier: provides political leaders a channel through which to communicate to the masses

Roles of Media

Watchdog: watch over political officials ready to expose violations

Public-Representative: serve as spokespersons of the public as some reporters feel it is their role to advocate for the citizenry

Do we see more than one role utilized? Is the media too influential now?

Roles of Media

At the beginning of our history, the media was closely aligned with politicians but there is more autonomy now.

The press performs many different roles and has a significant amount of influence over public opinions and political agendas.

The media is not always unbiased. Question your sources.

Summary