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Media

Media. “The 4 th Branch of Government?”. Explain the meaning…. Government Regulation. 1 st Amendment – freedom of press Shield Laws – journalists can protect their anonymous sources in some (but not all) cases – your textbook clarifies this

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Media

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Presentation Transcript

  1. Media “The 4th Branch of Government?”

  2. Explain the meaning…

  3. Government Regulation • 1st Amendment – freedom of press • Shield Laws – journalists can protect their anonymous sources in some (but not all) cases – your textbook clarifies this • Gov’t can’t place “Prior Restraint” on news (can’t censor news before it is released) • But…the press is not entirely free – can be censored in times of national emergency • WW2 Life magazine and “newsreels” • CNN 1991 Persian Gulf War – “press pools” (see your textbook)

  4. Functions of the Media • Entertainment • Information gathering and reporting of the news • Agenda setting (Gatekeeping)– ability of the media to draw public attention to certain issues and to ignore other issues • Political forum – place to make announcements or advertise government • Watchdog and Scorecard – can “watch” who is doing what in government, report on it, and remind viewers on the “score” (who is up or down in the polls)

  5. Structure of Media • Print media – newspaper, magazine, etc. • Oldest, being steadily replaced • Electronic Media – radio, TV • TV now is the primary source of news • Internet – instant information, any time • Replacing print and electronic media • Blogs (short for Web Log) present a variety of political ideologies • Twitter, Facebook, YouTube channels, personal websites to raise $$$

  6. Social Media Explained

  7. Media Conglomerates • WHO OWNS THE NEWS – in other words - WHO “OWNS” INFORMATION?

  8. Media Conglomerates • Gannet owns USA Today and controls the biggest circulation in the nation + owns 100 additional papers • Rupert Murdoch owns 124 radio stations, New York Post, Wall Street Journal, Weekly Standard, and FOX News

  9. Telecommunications Act of 1996 (deregulation) • Relaxed limitations on media ownership • Before 1996, there was the 7-7-7 rule – a company couldn’t own more than 7 AM, 7 FM and 7 TV stations as per the FCC regulations • No matter how many stations a broadcaster owned, only one AM, one FM and one TV station could be owned in any given metropolitan area • After 1996; 8-infinity ownership was adopted. Today, a broadcaster can own up to eight stations in any one market without any limit on how many stations it owns nationwide • Own up to 35% of television market • Own unlimited % of radio market

  10. Case Study - Viacom • Media Conglomerate – Viacom • CBS News • MTV • VH1 • BET • Comedy Central • Blockbuster (now defunct) • Paramount Pictures • Nickelodeon • DreamWorks SKG • Showtime

  11. FCC • Federal Communications Commission • Who are they? – 5 members (no more than 3 from the same political party) nominated by US President for 5 year terms – yearly rotation (someone off; someone on). • Regulates the media, no one may operate radio or TV stations without their license – licenses can be revoked or fines issued for obscenity or not operating “in the public interest” • Reports are kept on file at each station and at the FCC to prove compliance on a host of issues, including children’s programming and community access • Anyone can request to see their compliance reports

  12. Development of Networks • The major networks (NBC, CBS, ABC) began as radio networks in the early 1930’s • Transitioned to TV by the early 1950’s • Cable or subscription TV became prominent in the 1970’s (1979 – ESPN; 1980 – CNN; 1981 – MTV) • Public television began in 1967 • Regulations for cable are not the same as the “public airwaves” • You can choose to pay for cable - the other channels come automatically to your TV – regulation of those channels more strict

  13. Public Airwaves vs. Cable • Locally, these stations are available to all people both on and off cable – these networks and channels are heavily regulated: • WLWT 5 – NBC • WKRC 12 – CBS • WCPO 9 – ABC • WXIX 19 – Fox • WCET 48 KET 54 - PBS

  14. Public Broadcasting Act of 1967 • Prior to 1967, ETV or educational television stations existed, but not in a formal organized network – each was independent • WCET of Cincinnati was the first licensed public television station in the US (1951; on air 1954 - full disclosure – my father worked there from 1967-1989) • 1967 - part of LBJ’s “Great Society”, it created: • CPB (Corporation for Public Broadcasting) • PBS (Public Broadcasting Service) • NPR (National Public Radio)

  15. PB Act of 1967 – Rationale (points 6, 7, 8) • “it is in the public interest to encourage the development of programming that involves creative risks and that addresses the needs of unserved and underserved audiences, particularly children and minorities” • “ it is necessary and appropriate for the Federal Government to complement, assist, and support a national policy that will most effectively make public telecommunications services available to all citizens of the United States” • “public television and radio stations and public telecommunications services constitute valuable local community resources for utilizing electronic media to address national concerns and solve local problems through community programs and outreach programs”

  16. Is the Public Television business model outdated? Should Congress cut funding? A valid discussion to have…go back to the rationale.

  17. Impact of Media on Politics • “sound bites” – second long segments to attract attention (both negative or positive) for the speaker • Stories/political messages are shortened, and made to seem less complex than reality • Focus on personality of candidates instead of the issues

  18. Media and Political Campaigns • Advertising – very expensive on TV, way to reach many voters, raising campaign costs • News coverage – “free” coverage, politicians will attempt to create events where media will attend for free publicity • Spin doctor – one who tries to influence journalists with interpretations of events that are favorable to the candidate • Presidential Debates – more free coverage! • Incumbents always have a media advantage - media will cover them doing their job which reinforces name recognition

  19. Media and Gov’t Officials • White House Press Corp – journalists whose sole job is to follow the President • White House Press Secretary – responsible for addressing the press daily and answer questions for the president • Tony Snow, former FOX broadcaster worked as George W. Bush’ s WHPS • George Stephanopolous of ABC (GMA and “This Week” on Sundays) was Bill Clinton’s first press secretary • Joe Scarborough of MSNBC’s “Morning Joe” was a former Congressman from Florida

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