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Evolution of Mass Media: Past and Present

This article explores the forms of mass media that exist today compared to 50 years ago. It discusses the influence of television, the Internet, newspapers, radio, and magazines, as well as changes in American media over time. The article also addresses media bias and offers suggestions for accessing non-biased news sources.

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Evolution of Mass Media: Past and Present

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  1. Warm Up • In a T-chart, list all the forms of mass media that you can think of in one of the sections and title it Mass Media: Today. Then, rank them in order of how influential you believe they are by numbering each. Number 1 should be the most influential. • Now, think back 50 years. What forms of mass media didn’t exist then? Write a separate list under the other section and call it Mass Media: 50 Years Ago to reflect the mass media that existed during this time in history. Rank them in order of how influential you believe they were 50 years ago.

  2. Thursday, February 21, 2019 • Objective: Students will be able to analyze the current media environment in the United States and evaluate ways the news is delivered. • Importance: Many Americans are not informed enough and also misinformed. Being aware of how the media operates will help you become a better consumer of news, facts, and perspectives. This will also help you become a better voter.

  3. . . . were it left to me to decide whether we should have a government without newspapers or newspapers without a government, I should not hesitate a moment to prefer the latter. —Thomas Jefferson, Letter to Colonel Edward Carrington, January 16, 1787

  4. The Mass Media • Five major elements of the mass media are especially significant in American politics today: television, the Internet, newspapers, radio, and magazines • The media is not a part of government in the United States • Newspapers cover stories in greater depth than television does, and many are local papers that focus on events closer to home than most Internet news sources • Television replaced newspapers as the principal source of political information for a majority of Americans in the early 1960s

  5. Throughout history, the press has had tremendous power to influence the public. What characteristics of "yellow journalism" can still be seen in some publications today?

  6. In this early 1900s image, President Roosevelt rakes through the "muck" to expose wrongdoing in the meat industry. Who in the media might be considered muckrakers today?

  7. Media in America • Main roles: to inform the public and to set political agendas to focus on specific issues • Major Television Networks: ABC, CBS, NBC • Major Newspapers: The New York Times, Washington Post, Wall Street Journal, USA Today • Major Magazines: Time, Newsweek, US News & World Report

  8. Changes in American Media • Fairness Doctrine eliminated in 1987 • News broadcasts had to spend some of their airtime to discussing controversial matters of public interest • Opposing views needed to be presented on any of the issues • Critics saw this as a violation of Free Speech

  9. Changes in American Media • Cable News • In 1980, Ted Turner launches the Cable News Network (CNN) as the first TV station to cover the news 24 hours a day • CNN’s ratings and viewership surged in 1995 due to their wall to wall coverage of the trial of O.J. Simpson • The trial’s ratings were seen as a sign of the potential financial success of cable news • In 1996, MSNBC and FOX News Channel are launched

  10. Changes in American Media • Cable News • 24 hour news cycle is difficult to fill • This results in sensationalized programming • MSNBC: liberal point of view • Fox News: conservative point of view • CNN: tries to be neutral, has fewer opinionated programming and more hard news

  11. Signs of Media Bias • Dramatic headlines • Controversial images • Fiery editorials (shows hosted by Sean Hannity, Rachel Maddow) • Obsession over certain stories (MSNBC’s coverage of the Iraq War, Fox and Benghazi/Hillary Clinton’s emails) • Exaggerated stories (Example: Fox’s “War on Christmas”) • Few real facts and little explanations

  12. The media’s role in U.S. politics is affected by the behaviors and beliefs of Americans. What does this Gallup Poll indicate about Americans’ attention to national political news?

  13. Avoiding Bias • Use non-biased Media • National Public Radio (NPR) • News programming on PBS • BBC News • Reuters news service • Visit websites of fact-checkers (politifact, factcheck.org)

  14. Warm Up Social media has become a major feature of American media over the last decade. What are the positives and negatives about social media, particularly when it comes to the way it is used to communicate about political matters?

  15. Use of mobile devices is a growing trend for teens today. Which type of media access is used by the largest percentage of teens?

  16. The Internet, and social media sites in particular, are a growing source of political information for Americans. How do you predict what this chart might look in 2020?

  17. Changes in American Media • Satirical/Comedic News Shows • The Daily Show, Colbert Report, Last Week Tonight, Real Time with Bill Maher • Conservative Talk Radio • Glenn Beck, Sean Hannity, Rush Limbaugh • Internet blogs and news sites (Drudge Report, Breitbart, Huffington Post, Salon) • Social media: made it easier to share news with others

  18. American Media Habits • More Americans tend to be getting their news from sources with a bias they agree with (called the echo camber effect) • Media and political experts fear that Americans will become less tolerant of the opinions of others as a result of this • Less people watch the 5:30 news on ABC, CBS, or NBC, which is often unbiased and just reports the facts • Popular news programming is either provocative or entertaining

  19. American Media Habits • Many news programs have commentators on them regularly • Only CNN differentiates between reporters, analysts, and commentators • Unlike newspapers, television channels do not need to label their segments as news or opinion • Internet news has become a popular source due to its convenience

  20. Media Critical Writing What is more important in media coverage of American government and politics: fairness or accuracy? Explain your position. Does the polling we discussed reinforce or differ from your views on the media? Why do you think this is the case?

  21. Videos • Daily Show: polarized media https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A1Urd0jTEVU • CNN Reliable Sources: Anti-journalism voices https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0VfvAAG988o

  22. Videos • Lies are the New Truth (Bill Maher): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I8bihhjH3nI • Mighty Morphin’ Position Changers: http://www.cc.com/video-clips/faezep/the-daily-show-with-jon-stewart-mighty-morphin-position-changers

  23. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MRE7cfkKi60 • Jake Tapper on Late Night with Seth Meyers • https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a5iBZ-8wkdQ • Trump Attacks the Press and Fake News: A Closer Look

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