Chapter 10The Media

Adversarial press

National press that’s suspicious of officialdom and eager to break an

embarrassing story about a public official.

Attack journalism

A disregard for the integrity of others by the

use of slanderous journalism.

Background story (news)

Public officials explanation of current

policy provided to press

Confidentiality

The state of being secret

Equal time rule

Rule of FCC stating a broadcaster sells time to one candidate then must

sell equal time to another.

Fairness doctrine

Requires broadcasters to give time to opposing

views if the broadcast a program giving one side to a controversial issue

Feature story

Media reports about special events both to

any reporter who care to inquire but involving acts

not routinely covered.

Federal Communications Commission

an independent government agency that regulates interstate and

international communications by radio and television and wire and cable and satellite

Gatekeeper

Someone who controls access to something

Insider stories

Information not usually made public but becomes public because someone

with inside knowledge tells.

Loaded language

Words that reflect a value judgment used to

persuade the listener without ma.king an

argument

Market (television)

Area easily reached by a T.V. signal.

Mental tune-out

Only listening to the parts of a story that are favorable to your beliefs.

Muckraker

A journalist who searches through activities of government officials seeking to expose

conduct opposing public opinion.

Party press

News on a particular po0litical party in favor of

that party.

Political editorializing rule

If a broadcaster indorses a candidate an opposing

candidate has opportunity to reply

Popular Press

A section of the media specifically designed to reach a large audience

Prior restraint

A view that the press is guarantied freedom of

censorship.

Right-of-reply rule

If a person is attacked on a broadcast that person has the right to reply to

that same station

Routine stories

Media reports that are regularly covered by

reporters.

Scorekeeper

Keeps track of and helps of and helps make

political reputations.

Selective attention

Paying attention only to those parts of a story

with which one agrees.

Sound bite

Brief statement less that a few seconds long used

routinely on radio broadcast.

Trial balloon

Information provided by the media by an

anonymous person as a way of testing public

reaction.

Watchdog

One who serves as a guardian or protector against waste, loss, or

illegal practices.

Yellow Journalism

Sensationalism in news, reporting that only bears a superficial resemblance

to journalism. Not factual.