Chapter 11: The Media And Cyperpolitics Flashcards
MANAGED NEWS
Information generated and distributed by the government in such a way as to give government interests priority over candor.
PUBLIC AGENDA
Issues that commonly are perceived by members of the political community as meriting public attention and government action. The media play an important role in setting the public agenda by focusing attention on certain topics.
YELLOW JOURNALISM
A term for sensationalistic, irresponsible journalism. Short for “Yellow Kid Journalism” an allusion to the cartoon “The Yellow Kid” in the old New York World, a newspaper esp. noted for sensationalism.
ELECTRONIC MEDIA
Communication channels that involve electronic transmissions, such as radio, television, and, to an increasing extent, the Internet.
NARROWCASTING
Broadcasting that is targeted to one small sector of the population.
SOUND BITE
A brief, memorable comment that easily can be fit into news broadcasts.
SPIN
An interpretation of campaign events or election results that is most favorable to the candidate’s campaign strategy.
SPIN DOCTOR
A political campaign adviser who tries to convince journalists of the truth of a particular interpretation of events.
WHITE HOUSE PRESS CORPS
A group of reporters assigned full-time to cover the presidency.
PRESS SECRETARY
The individual responsible for representing the White House before the media. The press secretary writes news releases, provides background information, sets up press conferences , and so on.
MEDIA ACCESS
The public’s right of access to the media. The Federal Communication Commission and the courts gradually have taken the stance that citizens do have a right to media access.
BIAS
An inclination or a preference that interferes with impartial judgment.
