5. What functions do the media play?
How has the media developed throughout
American political history?
Is political news a “mirror reflection” of what’s
happening inWashington—or a deliberate
product of the political process?
6.
7. Sources help to gather, package, and disseminate
information to the public
Newspapers
Radio
Television
Internet
Main goal of media has stayed the same
How information is delivered has changed
8.
9. Informing
Press informs public of political events
Investigating
Researching and revealing information about events
Interpreting
Media interpret a given day’s news
23. Decline inTraditional Newspaper Readership
Popularity ofTalk Radio
Rise of Soft News or “Infotainment”
Prevalence of Blogs
Rise and Continuation of Social Networking
Cell Phones andText Messaging
24.
25. Gatekeeper
Decide what will be covered
Managers of wire services, editors, reporters
Disseminator
“Just the Facts,” avoid unverifiable stories
Does this help the public?
Investigator
Investigate problems, critically analyze and report them
“Muckrakers,”Woodward and Bernstein (Watergate)
Public Mobilizer
Emphasis on civic journalism
Grassroots movement due to Internet, etc.
26.
27. Focuses on 1940 Election
Results: People already made up
minds prior to voting; campaign
did not add information
Study gave rise to minimal
effects thesis
28. Selective Exposure
Individuals exposed to information with beliefs
Selective Perception
Individuals interpret information with beliefs
Selective Retention
Individuals recall information with beliefs
29. Agenda Setting
Must choose which events to cover— signal to public
Priming
Media emphasizes characteristics of people, events,
or issues—and this influences public’s view
Framing
Media alters public view on issue by presentation