1 / 15

The Role of News in Society: Media, Politics, and the Challenges Ahead

This exploration delves into the traditional functions of news in society, emphasizing its role in informing citizens and upholding the First Amendment. It addresses the impact of television as the primary source of political information for Americans, raising concerns over the nature of TV news, including superficiality and a focus on sensationalism over substantial policy debate. The critique extends to the media's power in shaping narratives and public perception, ultimately questioning the effectiveness of news in fostering informed democracy in an era dominated by entertainment and celebrity politics.

roman
Télécharger la présentation

The Role of News in Society: Media, Politics, and the Challenges Ahead

An Image/Link below is provided (as is) to download presentation Download Policy: Content on the Website is provided to you AS IS for your information and personal use and may not be sold / licensed / shared on other websites without getting consent from its author. Content is provided to you AS IS for your information and personal use only. Download presentation by click this link. While downloading, if for some reason you are not able to download a presentation, the publisher may have deleted the file from their server. During download, if you can't get a presentation, the file might be deleted by the publisher.

E N D

Presentation Transcript

  1. Media & Politics

  2. What is the function of news in society?

  3. Traditional function of news • Present a portrait of reality on which the citizen can act

  4. First Amendment Congress shall make no law . . . abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press . . . News media as the “Fourth Estate”

  5. TV and Politics • Americans get 80% of their political information from television • Why might this be problem? • Concerns about the nature of TV news • How do local newscasts differ from national newscasts?

  6. Video “Illusions of News” By Bill Moyers

  7. TV news criticized for • Emphasizing the "horse race" • . . . Conflict & controversy • . . . Ignoring issues • Priorities of coverage • (small news hole)

  8. CELEBRITY POLITICS • Media “treatment” of political campaigns • Superficial focus of coverage • Policy debate v. game of "gotcha"

  9. Media create their own narrative (story) • Action • Dynamism • Drama

  10. Media Critique • TV leads to “celebrity reporting” • Media, rather than candidates or parties set agenda

  11. Greater focus on image (character flaws) • Battle of media metaphors • The frat boy v. the truth stretcher • The _______ v. the _________

  12. Passive public • Products of an entertainment culture • Media both humanize & trivialize the political process • Nation like a film audience that only reads the review

  13. First Amendment • Public support is eroding • Some blame the press itself

  14. Lawrence Grossman • Broadcasters as public trustees of the public airwaves • Shrinking political coverage on network news • Network "profit center" vs "loss leader" • Diminished public service role • What is Grossman's proposal?

  15. Is this news?

More Related