Chapter 15 Study Guide Flashcards
Investigative Journalism
Reporting in order to find private scandals and negative stories about politicians, putting reporters at odds with them
Narrowcasting
Media programming on TV that makes us less informed because there is so much bias
Associated Press
Organization formed to control the wire service through the telegraph
Sound Bites
A brief and memorable comment, usually about 8 seconds long
Gatekeeper
The media has the power to decide what is newsworthy and worth publishing because they have to keep the audience’s attention
Horse Race Coverage
Media presents the election campaign as if it were a horse race, meaning constantly talking about polls
White House Press Corps
Staff that meets with reporters to prepare the president with probable questions and directs the control of news flow regarding the president
Press Briefing
Restricted meeting between the press and a press secretary or aid; it is “off the record” so no one knows who was talking
Visual
Unplanned or staged image of a candidate distributed by the media that can be beneficial or detrimental to a candidate
Fairness Doctrine
Doctrine that forced reporters to present both sides of an issue and give equal sharing time to all candidates and opinions
Selective Exposure
Idea that people expose themselves to news they want to her and tune out the news that contradicts their beliefs
Negative Advertising
Form of paid media intended to make a candidate’s opponent look bad
Yellow Journalism
Distorted and exaggerated the news to create sensations and attract readers
Nixon-Kennedy Debate
Exemplify the power of television and the media’s influence in American politics; those who watched the debate claimed that Kennedy won, listened said Nixon
Leak
Way for the government to release information to the press anonymously
Liberal Bias
Idea that the media generally advocates more liberal attitudes and beliefs-> created FOX News
Watchdog
Media feels it is their job to investigate and discover if politicians are doing anything wrong-> president can’t get away with anything
Press Conference
Unrestricted meeting between a government official and the press; discuss multiple topics and is available to the public
Press Secretary
Gives advice on how to keep a positive image in the media and how to deal with daily news
Spot
Short television ad used to promote a candidate running for office
Feeding Frenzy
Stories that are heavily reported by the news that ultimately shapes our opinions on leaders and influences our nation’s priorities
Photo Op
Opportunity set up by the candidates to make themselves look presentable
Selective Perception
People only view news the way they want to interpret it
Mass Media
Form of communication through television, radio, newspapers, and the Internet used to spread the news and inform the public (or make money)
