The Media Landscape: AP Government Brief Overview

1. The MediaA Brief, Quick Overview AP Government Chapter 12, Themes A & B

2. Pop Quiz 12 • Name big three networks on the public airwaves. • Name 1 role of the media. • What 2-word term means that viewers choose what to watch and process? • Name a conservative media outlet. • What must a public official prove in order to collect damages in a libel suit against the media? • What is the name of the channel that covers Congress gavel to gavel?

3. Media Basics Here & Abroad • US press one of the freest in the world: • John Peter Zenger case • 1st Amendment • Strict libel laws • Private ownership of media outlets • Leaks are commonplace • FOIA allows media to force transparency

4. Types of Media • Print media: magazines, pamphlets, books, and newspapers • Declining in importance • Many print resources folded or no longer in print • Advertisers have abandoned for electronic media • Almost no regulation

5. Types of Media • Electronic media: Television, radio, Internet • Largest source of information • Constantly evolving • Radio & TV regulated by FCC • Internet lacks any real regulation • Internet today allows many sources of information—pluralist power

6. Periods in Journalism in US • The Party Press • Expensive & usually exclusive to political elites • Small area of circulation • Many newspapers and editors were on government payroll • From founding until mid-1800s newspapers were overtly partisan

7. Periods in Journalism in US • Rise of the Popular Press • Development of high-speed rotary press • Telegraph invented— “News in a flash” • Urbanization—Mass circulation • Creation of Associated Press • Profits via advertising, sensationalism & “yellow journalism” • End of government subsidies—GPO created in 1860 • Publishing moguls and their empires prospered (Hearst, Pulitzer)

8. Periods in Journalism in US • Magazines of Opinion • Driven by reform-minded Progressives • Roots of investigative reporting AKA “Muckrakers” • Sinclair, Buck, etc. • Harper’s, Scribner’s & Atlantic Monthlywere the forefathers of Time, Newsweek, & US News & World Report

9. Periods in Journalism in US • Electronic Journalism • 1920’s-1940’s: Radio is king • Appealed to all ages in family • Politicians could speak directly to constituents from any location • Necessity by stations to include some speeches and ignore others • FDR’s “fireside chats” during WWII made Americans feel informed and up-to-date on world events

10. Radio is King

11. Periods in Journalism in US • Electronic Journalism • 1950’s-1990’s: Rise of Television • Telegenic candidates often win (Debates) • Until 1990’s the “Big Three” were main sources of information for 80% of Americans • News stories have been replaced by “sound bites” of less than 8 seconds • CNN and other cable outlets led to the decline of Big Three • News events are preferred over news stories

12. Periods in Journalism in US • Electronic Journalism • 2000’s to present—Emergence of Internet • 72% of all American homes have Internet access (2011 Census Bureau) • Information overload—consumer selects sources by choice & accident • Social networking sites are the newest way to reach thousands with instant information • Do example with class survey

13. Structure of US Media • Newspapers are no longer competitive in most markets • TV station are extremely competitive and usually focused locally, but have national ties • AP, UPI • Network affiliated • Networks have national focus

14. Roles of the Media • Gatekeeper - influence what subjects become national political issues, and for how long. AKA as “front burner” issues. EXAMPLE: • Scorekeeper - help make political reputations, court the “Great Mentioner” & decide who the winners & losers are in Washington. Often leads to coverage of presidential elections as horse races. EXAMPLE: • Watchdog - Follow closely the front-runner candidates, searching for “skeletons” in closet. Maintains close eye on all major candidates. EXAMPLE: • Agenda setter - Influence standards by which policies, government, presidents, and candidates are judged. EXAMPLE:

15. Rules & Regulations • 1st Amendment prevents prior restraint as determined by US Supreme Court • Near v. MN, NY Times v. US • Libel is very difficult to prove • NY Times v. Sullivan, Sharon v. Time • Shield laws exist in 41 states (including NC) but there is no national protection • FCC controls TV & radio with licensing, but has been largely deregulated due to competition • Equal Time doctrine exists to a limited extent. • NE NC has no real “market” in which to run ads

16. Presidents & The Media • Why is the coverage of the President so predominant? • Court media through use of BULLY PULPIT • One person—leader of the “free world” • Press secretary handles media

17. Congress & the Media • Hesitant in allowing coverage • Resented coverage of President • C-SPAN & C-SPAN2 now offer gavel-to-gavel coverage • Committee hearings sometime launch careers, especially in Senate

18. Why so many leaks? • Separation of powers • Federalism • Adversarial press corps • Sensationalism sells

19. The Public View of Media • Negative attacks alienate viewers—tune out • Believe press influences elections by biased coverage • Liberal bias blasted by Fox News • Conservative slant criticized by MSNBC • View media as big business—not to be trusted • Has led politicians to increase negative ads

20. Self-Constraints on the Media • Alienate sources • Become a “mouthpiece” • Numerous congressional staffers— “A dime a dozen” • Reliance on “canned stories” • Bypass national media for state & local coverage