1 / 13

Influence of the Media on Politics

Influence of the Media on Politics. Media is known as the "Fourth Branch of Government" What gives the media so much political pull? 1. Media's pervasiveness to get the story 2. Linkage institution between the government and the people

scout
Download Presentation

Influence of the Media on Politics

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. Influence of the Media on Politics Media is known as the "Fourth Branch of Government" What gives the media so much political pull? 1. Media's pervasiveness to get the story 2. Linkage institution between the government and the people The Internet has replaced newspapers, television, and magazines as people's top avenue of political information Used to directly appeal to the public as well as and to campaign Mass Media: any means of communication including newspapers, magazines, radio, television, films, recordings, books, and the Internet

  2. Influence of the Media on Politics Politics and media go hand in hand but have changed Used to work together but now often oppose one another Use press conferences to release information that began with FDR and his fireside chats Watergate caused distrust between the media and government Investigative Journalism

  3. Influence of the Media on Politics Inner tier 1. 3 National news magazines (Time, Newsweek, and US News and World Report 2. 4 Nat'l newspapers (The New York Times, Washington Post, Wall Street Journal, and Los Angeles Times) Middle tier Other nat'l newspapers that have political pull USA Today, Chicago Tribune, Christian Science Monitor Outer tier Local newspapers, television, and radio stations

  4. The Internet Revolutionized the way Americans obtain information Easily accessible, easily retrievable information like voting records, legislation, how to reach you Congressman, etc. Few Americans are taking advantage of such information

  5. W h o O w n s W h a t

  6. Media Coverage Essential for president's to have a positive relationship with the media yet be able to control information that is obtained by the media Reagan did this successfully; Clinton did not "Winning the Media Campaign: How the Press Reported the 2008 General Election" Study conducted after the 2008 election and charges from Hillary Clinton and John McCain on media bias towards Obama Media's portrayal of candidates changes with opinion polls Coverage driven by the "horse race"; Who is up and who is down Conclusion: Obama was slightly more positive than negative but MCCain was "heavily unfavorable"

  7. Media Bias Is media fair and balanced? Does it make a difference if it is not? Liberals say media is to conservative; Conservatives say media is to liberal Bias is not what the media reports about but what they ignore or not fully report on. Media tries to be unbiased and show both sides of the story

  8. Media Regulations Federal Communications Commission (FCC) Regulatory agency that monitors airwaves Independent but relies on federal funding. Would the FCC be impervious to political pressure? Enforces rules and regulations that prohibit slander and libel Prevents monopolies, examinations for licensure purposes, and monitors fairness of attacks If you are verbally attacked on a television station is it a right that you may appear on that same network for a rebuttal?

  9. Adversarial Reporting Investigative Journalism

  10. Relationship with the Media Double edged sword: Media can help (Reagan) or hurt the president (Nixon) JFK initiated the use of press conferences to provide a link between the government and the people The media has slightly disillusioned voters about the election process causing a slight decrease in turnout since the 60s

  11. Impeachment of Bill Clinton Most partisan political clash in American history Investigations into White House abuses and a misconduct charge from an Arkansas gov't official uncovered that Clinton had lied about allegations of having relations with an intern. Clinton denied doing wrong but admitted to his affair w/ Monica Lewinsky House impeached Clinton and Senate did not get the necessary two-thirds vote needed and he was acquitted. Media covered this 24/7 causing Clinton's approval rating to go under 40% while his job approval was over 60% President can control the nature of the content the media portrays such as giving full access of military operations

  12. Media and Public Approval Public approval is key in order to achieve policy agenda Polls determine approval ratings Avg. approval rating at the end of a term is approx. 50% Fluctuates: Sept 11 Bush 90%... End of term... Factors that influence PA; party affiliation, age, gender, education, and religious practice as well as media Bully Pulpit: using the POTUS office to influence Congress to pass particular legislation Fireside chats and Bill's town meetings Staged events help PA and support the next item on the agenda

More Related