1 / 25

Media and government

Media and government. A.k.a. media versus government: Notes on an adversarial (or not) relationship. www.newstrust.net. Adversaries or friends?. John Peter Zenger trial (1735) ended prosecutions for seditious libel Criticism of government is a key role for the press. The debate.

Download Presentation

Media and government

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 and government A.k.a. media versus government:Notes on an adversarial(or not) relationship

  2. www.newstrust.net

  3. Adversaries or friends? • John Peter Zenger trial (1735) ended prosecutions for seditious libel • Criticism of government is a key role for the press

  4. The debate • Merrill says media and government should not be adversaries. Dennis says they should. But do they really disagree?

  5. The debate • Merrill says media and government should not be adversaries. Dennis says they should. But do they really disagree? • They both say they should be adversaries when warranted, but should not be permanent enemies

  6. The debate • Merrill says media and government should not be adversaries. Dennis says they should. But do they really disagree? • They both say they should be adversaries when warranted, but should not be permanent enemies • First Amendment = no obligation

  7. Post-9/11 considerations • Country was afraid, and media took a more patriotic tone

  8. Post-9/11 considerations • Country was afraid, and media took a more patriotic tone • Support for war in Afghanistan was strong

  9. Post-9/11 considerations • Country was afraid, and media took a more patriotic tone • Support for war in Afghanistan was strong • Support for war in Iraq was more controversial

  10. The so-called fourth estate • Can the media really function as a pseudo-branch of government?

  11. The so-called fourth estate • Can the media really function as a pseudo-branch of government? • Seymour Hersh says political opposition is the key to media opposition

  12. Anonymous sources • William Safire says it’s how the media overcome the government’s vast powers

  13. Anonymous sources • William Safire says it’s how the media overcome the government’s vast powers • Do journalists have the right to protect their sources?

  14. Anonymous sources • William Safire says it’s how the media overcome the government’s vast powers • Do journalists have the right to protect their sources? • Should they?

  15. Media and elections • Horse-race coverage demonstrates the limits of objectivity

  16. Media and elections • Horse-race coverage demonstrates the limits of objectivity • Polls, fundraising numbers

  17. Media and elections • Horse-race coverage demonstrates the limits of objectivity • Polls, fundraising numbers • Civic or public journalism sought another way

  18. Media democracy • Dennis focuses on internal workings • Ombudsmen • Transparency • Leadership

  19. Media democracy • Dennis focuses on internal workings • Real democratic movement is outside and online • Media blogs • Independents like Josh Marshall • Political activist sites

  20. The right to know • Do Merrill and Dennis disagree?

  21. The right to know • Do Merrill and Dennis disagree? • Freedom of information laws, a.k.a. “sunshine laws”

  22. The right to know • Do Merrill and Dennis disagree? • Freedom of information laws, a.k.a. “sunshine laws” • No special privileges for media

  23. Civic (public) journalism • Media involvement in community • Issue-oriented election coverage • Public meetings to discuss coverage, priorities • Reporting on issues important to public

  24. Civic (public) journalism • Media involvement in community • Criticized for moving away from objectivity and adversarial role

  25. Civic (public) journalism • Media involvement in community • Criticized for moving away from objectivity and adversarial role • Jay Rosen has moved on • PressThink.org • NewAssignment.Net

More Related