The Media and Politics Professor B Fairbanks POLS

The Media and Politics Professor B. Fairbanks POLS 1101: Intro to American Government

“Congress shall make no law …. or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press …”

What Role Does the Media Play in a Democratic Society?

So What Role does the Media Play? • Watchdogs of government • Conveyors of information to the public • Setting the agenda • Promoter of free flow and exchange of ideas

Mass Media • All companies, organizations, institutions, and other corporate entities who deliver information on politics and current events to the public at large • Types of Media: • Broadcast • Print • Social

History of the Media • The Era of Sensationalism and Muckraking: 1860 to 1920 • Yellow Journalism - a style of reporting in which journalists exaggerate or even fabricate news stories to increase circulation. • Muckraking - journalism focused on exposing corruption in government or industry. • 1920’s and the Rise of the Radio • Introduction as a new sources of news. Significant rise in the use of the term, “Breaking News” • The Rise of Television • Communications Act of 1934 • The airways are public property and commercial broadcasters goal is to “serve the public interest, convenience, and necessity” • Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) • Allows any citizen to get information from government records after filing an official request for the release of documents • Television becomes primary source of news for citizens

History of the Media • Watchdog Journalism (1973 -1991) • The media adopts a much more aggressive and critical posture towards government • Ushered in by the release of The Pentagon Papers (1971) and Watergate Scandal • The Era of Infotainment (1992 -Now) • Soft News – a type of media that provides a combination of information and entertainment. • Ex. Jon Stewart and Stephen Colbert

Types of Media • Television or Radio Media • Provide Pictures or Scripts with a level of Immediacy to assist the viewing public • Print Media • Most common form is newspapers (print or online) • The depth and accuracy of sources is given much more attention • Social Media • Provides social interaction among people in which they create, share, or exchange info in virtual communities and networks • It is considered a coordinating mechanism for political action • Studies show rather than polarizing political views, it moderates them due to the diversity of exposure.

Where do people get their news?

Regulation of the Media: Content and Access • The print press enjoys relative freedom from government regulation thanks to the provision of the 1 st Amendment • Content can be regulated when questions of libel and slander are brought forward • Must reach standard of ”Actual Malice” • Content can also be regulated sometimes via prior restraint • Prior Restraint – censorship imposed, usually by a government, on publication of documents or specific information. • Unconstitutional in the United States except in extremely limited circumstances such as national security.

Regulation of The Media § The Federal Communications Commission (FCC), the government issues licenses and regulates the business and content of broadcast media. § Licenses are granted on a 1, 3, or 5 year term for TV § Radio Licenses are 17 year terms § It is an Independent Regulatory Commission § Members are appointed by the President § 5 member commission § Chairman (R) and 4 Commissioners (2 R and 2 D) § 5 year terms

The FCC Regulates Broadcast Media through Various Rules Fairness Doctrine Equal Time Rule • Rule requiring holders of broadcast licenses to present controversial issues of public importance in a manner that is honest, equitable, and balanced • Rule requiring radio and television stations to provide an equivalent opportunity to any opposing political candidate that request it • Eliminated in 1987 Exceptions : • Airing a documentary • Talk Shows and News Syndicates • Scheduled “live” newscast or onthe-spot events • News interviews • Political debates not hosted by the media station Net Neutrality • Internet service providers and governments must treat all data on the internet the same and not discriminate or charge differently by user, content, or website

Media Credibility and Bias • Goals of (Ethical) Journalism: • Seek Truth and Provide a Fair and Comprehensive Account • Minimize harm • Serve the public with thoroughness and honesty • Be Accountable and Be dedicated to standards of ethical behavior

Sources of Media Power • Agenda Setting - The power of the media to bring public attention to particular issues and problems • Framing - The power of the media to influence how events and issues are interpreted • the words, images, phrases, and presentation styles that a speaker (e. g. , a politician, a media outlet) uses when relaying information about an issue or event to an audience

Attitude Formation A = Sviwi A = Attitude V = Different dimensions you evaluate something on W= Weight you give to individual dimensions

Attitude Formation A = Sviwi • Frame - communication that highlights some subset of the possible dimensions to evaluate an attitude object • • Framing Effect occurs when weight is changed Influences the value of the dimensions you look at when forming an attitude

Public Opinion Formation Risk Averse – the behavior of individuals that when exposed to uncertainty will attempt to lower that uncertainty. Risk Seeking – the behavior of individuals that when exposed to uncertainty will choose greater volatility in exchange for anticipated higher returns.

Framing the Issue How do you feel about Obamacare? How do you feel about the Affordable Care Act? Obamacare Oppose 46% ]CATEGORY NAME[ ]PERCENTA GE[ Affordable Care Act Favor Oppose [CATEGORY NAME] [PERCENTA GE] ]CATEGORY NAME[ ]PERCENTA GE[ Favor Oppose

The Perfect Example of Framing: Ebola