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