Political Parties, Interest

Groups, and Mass Media

Unit IIIC

Mass Media

Mass Media

Includes all forms and aspects of

communication to the general public

Considered the “fourth branch of

government” given the importance and

influence on the electorate, policy-

making, politics, and the government

Mass Media Development

Newspapers

Colonial and Early Republic Times – Small circulations

– Expensive

– Financed by politicians and interest groups

Modern Times – Telegraph and printing

developments increased circulations on national levels by late 19th century

– Yellow journalism

– Limited press due to television and internet

Mass Media Development

Magazines

Developed in mid-19th century with smaller circulation and limited publishing

Gained influence with muckraking articles during Progressive Era

After 1920s, national circulation – Time, Newsweek, U.S.

News and World Report

Mass Media Development

Radio

Developed in early 20th

century

Primary source of news

and event broadcasts

for early and mid-20th

century

FDR used radio for

fireside chats

Lost influence with

television

Mass Media Development

Television After WWII, television became

primary source for news and event broadcasts

Helped glorify journalists

Claims largest mass media audience

Broadcast of McCarthy hearings, Nixon-Kennedy debates, and Vietnam coverage solidified television in political spectrum

Narrowcasting, cable news, and 24/7 news cycle in late 20th century – Talking heads

Mass Media Development

Internet

Development in late 20th century and early 21st century

World Wide Web becoming growing source of news and information

Blogs

Subject to immense bias and limited factual credibility

Function of Mass Media

Provide information to the public

Influence and shape public opinion

Link the government and the public

Act as a watchdog of the government

Influence agenda setting

Role of National Press Gatekeeper

– Influencing or determining which issues receive attention or degree of attention

– Part of agenda setting

Scorekeeper – Tracking candidates or issues showing their

importance or significance over time

– Ex. Polls on leading Republican presidential candidates

Watchdog – Investigating and exposing candidates and

institutions

– Ex. Watergate

Media and the President

The President receives the most attention by the media

Media Events

Press Secretary

Sources of Information – News/press releases

– News briefings

– News conferences

– Leaks

Media and Congress

Limited coverage in

relation to President

Coverage of

confirmation

hearings, oversight

investigations,

scandals

C-SPAN

Mass Media Jargon Media event

Sound byte

Loaded language

On the record

Off the record

On background

On deep background

Trial balloon

Kill a leak

Regulation of Media

Technical

– Licensing, signal strength, digital conversion

Structural

– Organization and ownership of broadcast media outlets

Content

– Limitations on coverage of subjects

Federal Communications

Commission (FCC)

Federal Communications Act of 1934 established FCC as independent regulatory agency on interstate communication

Enforces technical, structural, and content regulations

Technical Regulation

Public owns the airwaves

Anything transmitted over the airwaves is subject to regulation

Radio and television broadcasters must obtain a license renewable every 5 years – Subject to hearing if a group objects/complains

Digital conversion – Digital Transition and Public Safety Act of 2005

– All over-the-air broadcasts must end analog transmissions and convert to digital

Structural Regulation

Media Consolidation

– Before 1980s, media monopolies were strictly enforced and prohibited

– A corporation could not monopolize an entire market

Telecommunications Act of 1996

– Deregulated limitations on corporations

– Led to fewer but larger media conglomerates

Content Regulation

Political Campaigns – Fairness Doctrine

Mandated broadcast of opposing views

Dismissed by FCC in 1987

– Equal Time Rule Media time must be equally granted, media costs must

be equal, commercial ads must be the same during candidate air time

– Right of Rebuttal Candidates have the right to opportunity to respond to

allegations made by an opposing candidate

Content Regulation

Public Decency

– FCC imposes fines and

may revoke licenses in

violation of decency

standards set by law

– Obscenity prohibited

– Profanity prohibited

between 6AM and 10PM

– Only enforced on over-

the-air broadcasts; cable

not subject

2004 Super Bowl XXXVIII

Halftime Show

First Amendment

Prior Restraint – Government prohibited from

censoring or refusing publication/broadcast

– Near v. Minnesota (1931)

– New York Times v. United States (1971)

Pentagon Papers

Libel – Malicious printed material is not

protected

Slander – Malicious oral material is not

protected

Media Bias

Coverage and reporting of issues and

candidates slanted by “liberal” reporters

and/or “conservative” media owners

Sensationalism over objectivity

Actual News Headlines vs. Fox News

Headlines

Media Bias