POS3931
Exam 1
Chapter 1
Roles and Models of
the Mass Media
I.
Key Terms
a. Media: outlets that focus on news
events
b. Print Media: written form of mass
media, newspapers, magazines
i.
More
factual
c. Electronic Media: broadcast media, TV,
radio, internet
d. Conveys meaning and context
e. Greater sense of reality (i.e.
Hurricane Katrina – you saw the
devastation)
f.
Journalist:
person who gathers and disseminates info about people, events, and issues
i.
Suppose
to be unbiased and opinion free; neutral
g. News commentator: media
personalities who express opinions without necessarily holding expertise in
that specific area
II.
Freedom of the Press
a.
Comes
from the First Amendment
b.
“Congress
shall make no law…abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press.”
i.
In
legal cases, most times the courts side with the press
c. How much freedom the press should
have?
i.
How
much should people know?
ii.
National
security
III.
General Importance of the Media
a. Able to attract vast audiences
i.
60%
of
ii.
42%
of
iii.
40%
of
b. Both ordinary citizens and political
elites pay attention to the media
i.
Some
argue elites pay too much attention
IV.
Political Importance of the Media
a. Direct attention to certain issues
or people
i.
Who
and what is important?
b. Confirm legitimacy, offer rewards or
heap scorn
c. Serve as a channel for
persuasion/mobilization
i.
Media
can convince leaders to act or mobilize people
d. Major player in political campaigns
i.
What
politicians they choose to cover is important
ii.
Advertising
and news
iii.
Vast
amounts of money poured into political ads
V.
Functions of the Media
a. Surveillance: watch the world to report on important events
i.
Public
– government, education, etc.
ii.
Private
– celebrities, well-known people
iii.
Keeps
an eye on what’s going on
b. Interpretation: put the news of the day into context and
speculate about its broader meaning
c. Socialization: process through which
an individual acquires particular political orientations
d. Manipulation: cover a story in order to bring about policy
change
i.
Investigative
reporting
VI.
What we Expect from the Media
a. Meaningful, accurate information
b. Be a watchdog
i.
Check
on government
c. Serve as a linkage institution
d. Entertaining on some level
VII.
Effects of the Mass Media of the
General Public
a. Minimal Effects Theory
i.
The
media has a minimum effect on the general public
ii.
Survey
done – people who knew who they were voting for in March, voted for that person
in November; therefore, media didn’t change their opinion
b. These “minimal effects” have likely
been understated
VIII.
Models of the Mass Media
a. Reporters of Objective Fact
i.
Media
is merely a conduit of information
(1) Not to be active participants in a
story
ii.
Problem: Nature of coverage
(1) Impossible to report all the facts
(2) Limited time and space
b. Neutral Adversaries
i.
Media
should act as a “check”
(1) “watchdog” role
ii.
Problem: Reliance on government officials
(1) The public is suppose to respond to
the news
c.
Public
Advocate
i.
Journalists
should engage elites and the public in debate
(1) Liberal view of what journalism
should be
ii.
Problem: Too much emphasis on citizenry
d. Profit Seekers
i.
Media
should maximize profit for corporate ownership
ii.
Treats
people as consumers more than democratic citizens
iii.
Problem: Cover issues not considered “profitable”
(1) Sometimes reports on social issues
e. Propagandists
i.
Media
should advance the opinions of those in power
(1) Supports and legitimizes policies
ii.
Problem: Coverage tends to be negative and cynical
toward government