Random Fact of the DayRandom Fact of the Day

• Number of hours of media consumed daily by the average American in 2008: 13.8

Chapter 11, Section 2Chapter 11, Section 2The Mass Media The Mass Media

I. Types of Media

***The mass media influence politics and government. It forms a link between the people and elected officials.***

A. Newspapers, magazines, newsletters, and books are print media*.

Radio, TV, Internet is electronic media.

B. The media operates to create a profit. ***They run the news by what will attract the largest audience.***

C. TV is the most important medium for politics because it reaches the most people. ***However, print media provides deeper coverage.***

***Internet users gather info whenever they wish. Streaming news clips can also be accessed on the internet.***

II. The Media’s Impact on Politics and Government

A. The problems that receive the most time, money, and effort from government leaders make up the public agenda.

***The media has a great influence on which problems governments consider to be important.***

B. The modern media enable people with little political experience to run for office.

C. Elected officials and the press need one another, yet they clash

D. Elected officials want the media to portray them as hard working, effective leaders.

E. Mass media plays “watchdog” role. They expose government misconduct etc.

F. Journalists look for scandal in officials’ private lives as well as public.

***There is tension between the American citizens’ need for info and the need for government to keep secrets to protect our national security. The government can control information the media report by classifying it as secret and limiting coverage of military action.***

• ***Officials may secretly pass on, or leak, information to friendly reporters. They use leaks to make officials look bad or change the public’s opinion on major issues.***

• G. Leaks benefit reporters by allowing them to report on “inside” information.

III. Protecting the Media

***Democracy requires a free flow of information and ideas.***

A. 1st Amendment protects the freedom of press, which today, includes all media.

B. Supreme Court has ruled that freedom of press includes freedom from prior restraint, or government censorship of material before it is published.

***Journalists can report what they want, even if it is unpopular or embarrassing to officials.***

***Freedom of press does not grant reporters freedom to publish false information to harm someone’s reputation (libel/slander).***

C. FCC cannot censor broadcasts, but it can penalize stations that violate rules (ex: Super Bowl and Janet Jackson)

Mini Quiz!!! Mini Quiz!!! U2-ONEU2-ONE

1. TV, Computers, Internet…

2. Books, Magazines, Newspapers…

3. What is the most important form of media?

4. What is a leak?

5. Problems that receive the most time, money, and effort from government officials?