The document discusses the evolving relationship between media and politics in the United States over time. It describes how colonial newspapers promoted political discussion and independence, while the development of new printing technologies in the 1830s freed the press from financial dependence on political parties. In the late 1800s and early 1900s, sensationalistic "yellow journalism" and investigative "muckraking" journalism gained popularity before objectivity in reporting became emphasized. More recently, trends include declining newspaper readership, less news attention from young people who use social media more, and "narrowcasting" of tailored political messages.

1. Chapter 10

2. EVOLVING CIVIC LIFE AND MEDIA CHANGES Colonial newspapers played an important role in promoting discussion of political issues and preparing colonists for the idea of independence. What was the relationship between government and media during these times? Would we have had a revolution without government control of the media? In the era of the partisan press, parties paid newspapers to promote their points of view. New printing technology (penny press) made newspapers much cheaper in the 1830s, freeing the press from financial dependence on parties.

3. EVOLVING CIVIC LIFE AND MEDIA CHANGES Sensationalistic reporting, called “yellow journalism,” gained enormous popularity in the late 1800s. What is the equivalent to yellow journalism today? In the early1900s, aggressive investigative journalism, called “muckraking,” helped to expose corruption and social injustice and stimulate reform What was the drawback of this style of journalism? Newspapers abandoned yellow journalism in early 20 th century. Why? Began emphasizing objective journalism. How does this differ from yellow journalism?

4. EVOLVING CIVIC LIFE AND MEDIA CHANGES What is mass media? Radio provided the first alternative mass media in the 1920s. What was radio’s association with politics? Television added another in the 1950s. What was television’s association with politics? Voters are more likely to turn to television for political information than any other single source. Three trends characterize media usage today A decline in the reliance on newspapers; declining interest in news among young people; the consumption of narrowcasting

5. EVOLVING CIVIC LIFE AND MEDIA CHANGES Newspaper circulation has declined dramatically since its peak in 1985. Americans between the ages of 18 and 29 are much less attentive to news than are members of any other generation. Young people are more likely to report using the Internet to gather information and are more skeptical of traditional news sources. The young have also turned to social networks to engage in political activity. How important are Twitter, Facebook, and other social mediums going to be to the political process in the future? Narrowcasting, programming directed to a specific population segment, has changed the way citizens receive messages from political leaders. Has narrowcasting been beneficial? Harmful?

6. THE MEDIA ENVIRONMENT IN AMERICA Private individuals have always owned the nation’s media outlets. Is the United States a rare case? Ownership of U.S. media outlets is becoming more highly concentrated. Should the major goal of the media be to inform or entertain? What has the emphasis on profits led to? Because the number of broadcasting frequencies is limited, the government regulates use of the airwaves.

7. THE MEDIA ENVIRONMENT IN AMERICA Government can exercise no prior restraint of censorship due to 1 st amendment rights, through the ruling of the courts Are there are circumstances where it would be allowed? Limited amount of airwaves; declared public property; with government control Creation of FCC in 1934 The Federal Communications Commission sets limits on private ownership of broadcast stations. What were the limits? Still apply today? The FCC also makes rules affecting the content of radio and TV broadcasts. What is the equal time rule and the fairness doctrine?

8. THE MEDIA ENVIRONMENT IN AMERICA Today’s TV news emphasizes celebrities, life-style, and human-interest stories (focus on entertainment) The national media has embraced “attack journalism,” which is hostile toward government, political processes, and politicians. Is the media to easy on popular leaders? Primarily the president? Despite studies to the contrary, many people believe the media has a liberal bias. The U.S. news media provides generally balanced coverage, with many specialized outlets catering to particular points of view.

9. MEDIA AND POLITICAL CAMPAIGNS Broadcast of a candidate’s activities or messages as news items is known as “free media” or “earned media.” Campaign handlers stage free-media events to show candidates at maximum advantage. Exclusive interviews for positive coverage Candidates attempt to spin the news – convince the media to apply a particular interpretation to a story. Sound bites have become the norm with media and candidates. Lacks depth but does allow to state position(s).

10. MEDIA AND POLITICAL CAMPAIGNS Presidential debates offer an opportunity to compare candidates side by side. Nixon/Kennedy debate: Who won? Candidates must look, as well as sound, presidential in a presidential debate. Challengers have more to gain from debating than incumbents. Mistakes are easily pounced upon (Ford) A candidate must come across as someone the audience would like to invite into their homes.

11. Sabato – Feeding Frenzy Sabato argues that the media have replaced political parties as the new “screening process” for candidates? Do you believe this to be the case? “ We are the people who want to prevent the bad characters from crossing over into public office” – Brit Hume What does the term “frenzy” apply to in his article? What event does he claim starts this frenzy? He uses 36 cases up until 1990 to demonstrate the effect of the media on political/personal mistakes of elites.

12. Sabato – Feeding Frenzy (Cont) What did Watergate do to the young generation of reporters? Media today has made ANY character flaws a major deterrent into politics? Is this limiting the amount of good candidates? Sabato’s study only goes until 1990. Are his findings still valid today? Any other cases of a media “feeding frenzy” recently?

13. MEDIA AND POLITICAL CAMPAIGNS Advertising, particularly television advertising, is a staple of modern presidential campaigns. Because media is privately owned, candidates who want greater exposure need to buy airtime Can be either positive or negative messages Since the 1996 presidential elections, the Internet has become an increasingly important part of political campaigns. The Internet has became a major tool for identifying potential supporters. Blogging has helped democratize the media by allowing individuals to communicate to mass audiences. However there is no mechanism for distinguishing fact from fiction

14. MEDIA AND POLITICAL CAMPAIGNS The media cover politics a lot like they cover sports, as if campaigns were a game. Media stress winning and losing; strategy and tactics get more attention than policy positions The favorite game reference in political coverage is the horse race. The private lives and personal failures of candidates are now considered fair game for reporters. Public opinion polls created a new dynamic for election night reporting. The media are tempted to predict the winners on the basis of the polls, rather than wait for the vote count Exit polls allow pollsters to determine voting trends before the polls close

15. GOVERNMENT COVERAGE IN THE MEDIA The relationship between the media and the president has always contained some acrimony. As the press became more independent and professional, presidents became more sophisticated in their dealings with reporters. Lincoln – press censorship (wartime) Wilson – first to hold regular press conferences F.D.R. – good relationship with press – led to long honeymoon period from media Reagan – “The Great Communicator”

16. GOVERNMENT COVERAGE IN THE MEDIA With so many members, it is more difficult for the media to cover Congress. Congress lacks a single leader to act as spokesperson The media focus on congressional party leaders, committee chairs and—for local media—local legislators Large press corps - Over 3000 members The national media treat Congress with great cynicism.

17. GOVERNMENT COVERAGE IN THE MEDIA The activities of the Supreme Court are cloaked in secrecy; this makes coverage difficult. Media reports deal with ideological splits on the Court, and winners and losers in particular cases Americans are more familiar with state trial courts than they are with the U.S. Supreme Court Fascinated with celebrity trials

18. Wattenberg – Where Have All the Voters Gone? What does Wattenberg argue that narrowcasting has led to? The ratings for televised addresses have decreased dramatically since the 60’s. Why? What is the relationship between age and political knowledge in the 1964 NES study? 2000 NES study? “ There has never been, nor ever will be, a people who are politically ignorant and free.” – Jefferson Chicken-Egg Question? Which comes first, youth participation or elites caring about youth issues?