The Mass Media and PoliticsChapter 7

Into the thick of it

What do we typically see on political talk shows?

What do politicians tend to do on these shows? “Boots on the ground.”

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MDUQW8LUMs8

The Mass Media today What is the mass media?

Television, radio, newspaper, magazines, the internet and other popular communication outlets.

Media Event: Events that are purposely staged by politicians for the media

Print media to electronic media. 1960 1 in 2 adults purchased

newspapers 2008 1 in 5 adults purchased

newspapers

Getting cozy

President Franklin D. Roosevelt was the first to address the press as an ally. 1,000 press conferences in his 12 years. The press revered him for this.

Until Watergate and Vietnam, reporters and politicians had a positive relationship Investigative journalism: the use of in-

depth reporting to discover schemes, putting reporters at combative roles with politicians.

Print Media

Those who read newspapers, tend to be more politically engaged Why?

Newspaper: 100,000 words on average issue

Newscast: 3,600 words per broadcast

Why have newspaper sales been dropping? News websites, blogs, twitter.

Play the game!

Put yourself in a politicians shoes.

Decide on a message you want the public to hear.

Create a list of key phrases that you and your team will repeat about that topic.

Then create an action plan on which media outlets you will utilize. Liberal: MSNBC, Conservative: Fox, Moderate: CNN

Finally, a list of potential problems that could occur. Remember West Wing??