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The Role of Media as the 4th Branch of Government in America

This section explores the crucial functions of media in American government, highlighting its evolution from print to electronic and internet-based information sources. Media's ability to set agendas, act as a political forum, and influence campaigns is significant. We discuss ownership of media conglomerates, regulations like the First Amendment and FCC guidelines, and the impact of advertising and news coverage on political discourse. The relationship between government officials and the media through press corps and secretaries is also covered, showcasing the essential role media plays in democracy.

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The Role of Media as the 4th Branch of Government in America

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Presentation Transcript

  1. American Government Ch. 08 Media “The 4th Branch of Government”

  2. Functions of the Media American Government • Entertainment • News • Agenda setting – ability of the media to draw public attention to certain issues and to ignore other issues • Political forum – place to make announcements or advertise government

  3. Structure of Media American Government • Print media – newspaper, magazine, etc. • Oldest, being steadily replaced • Electronic Media – radio, TV • TV now is the primary source of news • Internet – instant information, any time • Replacing print and electronic media • Blogs (short for Web Log) • 527’s – groups that independently raise money and campaign for and against people

  4. Media Conglomerates American Government • WHO OWNS THE NEWS??? • WHO OWNS INFORMATION?

  5. Media Conglomerates American Government • Gannet owns USA Today and controls the biggest circulation in the nation + owns 100 additional papers • Rupert Murdoch owns 124 radio stations, New York Post, Weekly Standard, and FOX News

  6. Case Study - Viacom American Government • Media Conglomerate – Viacom • CBS News • MTV • VH1 • BET • Blockbuster • Paramount Pictures • Nickelodeon • DreamWorks • Showtime

  7. Government Regulation American Government • 1st Amendment – freedom of press • Gov’t can’t place “prior restraint” on news (can’t censor news before it is released) • The press is not entirely free

  8. FCC American Government • Federal Communications Commission • Controls the media, no one may operate radio or TV stations without their license • Who are they? – 5 members (no more than 3 from the same political party) nominated by US President for 5 years.

  9. FCC “Friends” American Government Howard Stern “Man Cow” Eminem

  10. Telecommunications Act of 1996 American Government • Relaxed limitations on media ownership • Own up to 35% of television market • Own unlimited % of radio • Remember Andrew Carnegie and Horizontal Integration???

  11. Impact of Media on Politics American Government • “sound bites” – second long segments • Stories/political messages are shortened, and made to seem less complex than reality

  12. Media and Political Campaigns American Government • Advertising – very expensive on TV, way to reach many voters, raising campaign costs • News coverage – “free” coverage, politicians will attempt to create events where media will attend for free publicity • Spin doctor – one who tries to influence journalists with interpretations of events that are favorable to the candidate • Presidential Debates

  13. Media and Gov’t Officials American Government • White House Press Corp – journalists whose sole job is to follow the President • White House Press Secretary – responsible for addressing the press daily and answer questions for the president • Jay Carney

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