“A People who mean to be their own governors must arm themselves with the power knowledge gives. A popular government without popular information or the means of acquiring it, is but a prologue to a farce or a tragedy or perhaps both”

James Madison

“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 later.”

Thomas Jefferson

Newspapers, television, radio, internet, blogs

Most people’s knowledge of politics come from the media

Entertainment Reporting the news Indentifying public problems

Socializing new generations Providing a political forum Making profits

The Party Press Papers very partisan, never gave both sides of an issue Days of Party Press = few people read newspapers

The Popular Press Changes in society and technology made possible self-

supporting, mass readership daily newspapers Rise of mass circulation = rise of mass politics

Magazines of Opinion Progressive periodicals that discussed issues of public

policy; focused on investigative reporting Development of magazines of opinion = development

of interest groups

Electronic Journalism Radio and TV changed journalism foreverTV dominance = politicians talking to voters

The Internet Allows citizens to have a larger role in

politics Internet = politicians and voters talking to

each other

Consists of:◦ Wire services ◦ National magazines◦ Television network evening news broadcasts: ABC, CBS, NBC◦ Cable News: CNN, Fox News, MSNBC, etc.◦ Newspapers with national readerships

Why significant?? Large readership, political elites follow closely!

Roles played◦ Gatekeeper—influences what subjects become national

political issues, and for how long. ◦ Scorekeeper—tracks political reputations & candidacies ◦ Watchdog—investigate personalities & expose scandals

Little competition in newspapers, but radio and TV are intensely competitive and just keep getting more so

Hmm….who to watch???

Newspapers almost entirely free from government regulation, but radio and television are highly licensed and regulated ◦ FCC license required to operate a radio or TV station◦ Some movement lately to deregulate

Confidentiality of Sources ◦ Reporters want it, government doesn’t ◦ Supreme Court allows the government to compel

reporters to divulge information in court if it bears on a crime

Remember the NYT case from Unit 2. Only libel if printed maliciously!