Bell Ringer

1. Bell Ringer • What role does the media have in our society, especially regarding politics?

2. The Media

3. The Media • Public officials have a love-hate relationship with the media • “No news is good news” is better for them than the adage “No such thing as bad publicity” • They have to “woo” the press • America is one of the freest countries regarding press • Out of 96 countries only 16 of them had “free press” • Even in England politicians can sue for libel and collect big bucks for “defamation” • (British) Official Secrets Act v. (American)Freedom of Information Act

4. The Media • In America almost all TV and radio stations are owned by private citizens • They do require a license, good for 5-7 years • In France all broadcasting is done through the government and they can/do prohibit airing anything that may “disturb public order” or make government look bad • We have some regulation but the content is not—media is free air virtually all stories • The downside of it being private is that they have to turn a profit meaning they have to entertain as well, not just report

5. Journalism in American Political History • Party Press • Politicians created/controlled newspapers; they were expensive • Expressed the views of the politicians such as Andrew Jackson’s Washington Globe • Popular Press • Technology made it possible for private citizens to go into the news business for themselves • 1848-Associated Press was created to send messages around the world via telegraph • Had to be brief, thus no bias/partisanship, “just the facts”

6. Journalism in American Political History • Popular Press • With private ownership came yellow journalism • sensationalism (violence, romance, etc.) • muckraking (someone who seeks stories about politicians acting against public policy)

7. Journalism in American Political History • Magazines of Opinion • Americans who wanted more serious news sources turned to magazines like Harper’s and Cosmopolitan • Writers would contribute stories and gain national followings • Today’s magazines rarely focus on politics • Electronic Journalism • Radio (1920s) • TV (1940s) • These venues allowed politicians ability to speak directly to the people without editors and reporters • But, in order to get air time they have to have serious political clout, be entertaining, and/or pay big bucks for the time slot

8. Journalism in American Political History • Electronic journalism • Political talk shows are still relatively new media • Until the 90s the “big three” channels (ABC, NBC, CBS) had 80% of the viewership • Evening newscast dominated the evening time slots and if the president was on, you were out of luck unless you had cable • This is where the rise of morning news and cable news got it’s start(Ross Perot announced his presidential candidacy on Larry King Live)

9. Journalism in American Political History • The Internet • The 2000 election was the first one where both candidates had a site • With 24 hour cable and internet news sites, the fate of newspapers is questionable

10. The Structure of the Media • “No Spin Zone” HA! • The media is not a mirror of what is going on in politics • They provide their own “spin” on things creating bias • In the radio and TV markets, competition is fierce • There are 5 major networks now and over 1,000 other channels (most of which have some sort of “news”) • Each of these have some audience that they play to

11. The Structure of the Media • National News • CNN, ABC, CBS, NBC, FOX, MSNBC all carry news aired nationally • Most newspapers are geared toward local news • Except: Wall Street Journal, Christian Science Monitor, and USA Today (New York Times and Washington Post are gaining in readership) • National press is important because: • Politicians care about what is written in the national press • The national press plays the role of gatekeeper, scorekeeper, and watchdog

12. The Structure of the Media • Gatekeeper • The national press determines what becomes national issues by what they choose to publish • Scorekeeper • Determines who is “winning” in the press • Treats elections like horse races • The Iowa Caucus and other primaries are given great importance as the season openers for the election

13. The Structure of the Media • Watchdog • Once candidates are chosen for the race the media pays extra attention to them • How did we know that Clinton “didn’t inhale” or that Bush did cocaine before his time in office? • While the media has their favorites, they are always willing to run them over if it will improve ratings

14. Rules Governing the Media • Newspapers/magazines are given some of the greatest freedom • Only restrictions-can’t print libelous, obscene, and/or material created to incite violence or overthrow of the government • Even in these cases, the Court has found in favor of the newspaper in most instances • For libel you have to not only prove that they printed something false, but also have to prove they did it maliciously • Obscene material is even harder to regulate without stepping on “artistic rights” and freedom of speech

15. Rules Governing the Media • Confidentiality of sources is not a guarantee • It is decided on a case by case basis • Usually the Court finds in favor of the government and forces that reporter to release his source data • Regulating Broadcasting • The Federal Communications Commission heavily regulates what is broadcasted • To have a radio/TV station you have to have a license and the FCC can turn you down • People are pushing for deregulation

16. Rules Governing the Media • Regulations: • Equal time rule: if you sell time to one candidate you have to allow the other airtime as well • Right-of-reply rule: If a person is attacked (verbally) on your station, you have to allow for (verbal) retort from the attacked person • Political editorialization rule: If a broadcaster endorses a candidate, the opposing candidate has right to reply • Fairness doctrine: (removed in 1987) required time for opposing side of an issue to be presented if station gave time to controversial topic

17. Assignment • Choose one of the following and write a 500 word response (Due Monday, Feb. 4, 2013). • What is the role of the media in a democracy? • Be sure to include the following in your response: • Is the media truly the 4th branch of government? • Should it or does it have a “check and balance” function? • Consider issues of National Security and war • Is it possible to have an independent “For Profit” media? • Provide 2 specific examples to support your argument. OR • Evaluate the following statement by evaluating the role of each of the following: the media in all forms, the corporate owners, the government, and the citizens. • “The only way to establish a free democracy is through a free press. Without a completely free press, democracy dies and the result is despotism. In short, a free and unfettered press is the life blood of a democracy”

18. Bell Ringer • Does the media do a good job as “watch dog” over Washington? • Explain what a “good job” looks like and then give examples of how they are or are not doing so.

19. The Effects of the Media on Politics • Media plays some role in our political behavior-but how much? • Americans suffer from selective attention-we only listen to the news that backs up our beliefs • While our voting habits don’t seem to change much based on media, our policies do • Remember the data from issues in 2008 to 2009 • Healthcare went from 9% to 22% in importance • White House officials, knowing the importance of media, spend most of their time trying to get someone to be nice to the president

20. Government and the News • Politicians and government agencies know that they must cultivate public opinion or perish • T.R. was the first to use “cultivate”—he made it a goal to do something news worthy everyday • He built the West Wing and included a Press Room and only granted insider stories to friendly reporters and iced out hostile ones • The President now has a Press Secretary whose job is to handle news and media for him • They brief president on likely asked questions, controls flow of cabinet department news, deals with out-of-town news editors • No other country on earth has the press so close to their government (literally in the president’s home)

21. Government and the News • Coverage of Congress • Congress envies the coverage the president gets, but can’t compete • Until 1970s filming equipment wasn’t allowed in the House while Congress was in session • Since 1979 CSPAN has been filming non-stop • What event could have provoked their change of heart? • Senate is much more likely to be covered since it’s the incubator for future presidents • Governors hoping to be president have to pray for a natural disaster to get TV time on the national level

22. Government and the News • “Rules of Politics” Media • All secrets become public knowledge • All stories written about me are inaccurate; all stories about you are entirely accurate • The rosier the news, the higher ranking the official who announces it is • Always release back news on a Saturday • Never argue with a person who buys ink by the barrel

23. Interpreting Political News • Most Americans trust TV news to written news because they can hear how things are being said plus what is said • Since 1985 people have become less trusting in news in general • Dan Rather lost significant credibility as did Ted Koppel; CNN gained credibility • People feared that when newspapers endorsed a candidate, it would slant the public—the 1948 and 1996 elections proved that was not the case • What is in the media doesn’t reflect the public • 1972 election 61% of public voted Nixon, 19% in the press • 1992 election 41% of public voted Clinton, 80% in the press

24. Interpreting Political News • Types of stories: • Routine stories: things that everyone in the press knows and regularly reports on (State of the Union address) • Feature stories: Something any reporter can investigate and report on, but must take the time to do so; not plainly known • Insider stories: Information not known without “insider” info; must be “leaked” • When evaluating insider stories: • What beliefs led the editor to run this story? • How are the “experts” in the story related to the issue? • What adjectives are being used to “spin” the story?

25. Interpreting Political News • American government is the leakiest in the world • Why? Too many cooks in the kitchen who are competing with each other • We have an adversarial press—one that is suspicious of officials and eager to break the “real story” • Many people do not like modern press’ attack on leaders such as Quayle’s misspelling of potato, Clinton’s sexual relations, or Obama’s bowing • This is reflected by the people’s distrust in the media

26. Interpreting Political News • Media constantly attacks big business which is leading to distrust in businesses • Funny thing, media is big business so it is slowly coming around to bite them • News wasn’t always so sensationalized • FDR, JFK, and MLK all had affairs that the press knew about and didn’t report, why? • Money—press is a business and thus seeks to turn a profit by having the largest number of viewers/readers • Politicians, such as Clinton, tried to “spin” the stories in their favor by depicting those speaking against him as liars, bimbos, or stalkers • Kenneth Star was accused of being a muckraker

27. Assignment • Follow your Senator or Representative in Congress on Twitter and/or Like him/her on Facebook and answer the following questions: • Name and District • Committees on which the member of Congress serves • What is your Senator or Representative doing in the district this week or recently? • What is your Representative/Senator doing in Washington this week or recently? • Tell us what ideas/legislation has your Rep/Senator taken on recently on behalf of constituents and/or on behalf of the country? • Finally, comment on the use of social media to connect with constituents and other important supporters. Due Wednesday, February 6, 2013!