Chapter 6 Flashcards
Mass media
The means employed in mass communication; often divided into print media and broadcast media
Attentive policy elites
Leaders who follow news in specific policy areas
Two-step flow of communication
The process in which a few policy elites gather information and then inform their more numerous followers, mobilizing them to apply pressure to government
Blogs
A form of newsletters, journal, or “log” of thoughts for public reading, usually devoted to social or political issues and often updated daily. The term derives from weblog
Newsworthiness
The degree to which a news story is important enough to be covered in the mass media
Market – driven journalism
Both reporting news and running commercials geared to a target audience defined by demographic characteristics
Infotainment
A mix of information and diversion oriented to personalities or celebrities, not linked to the day’s events, and usually unrelated to public affairs or policy; often called “soft news.”
Federal Communications Commission (FCC)
An independent federal agency that regulates interstate and international communication by radio, television, telephone, telegraph, cable, and satellite
Gatekeepers
Media executives, news editors, and prominent reporters who direct the flow of news
Horse race journalism
Election coverage by the mass media that focuses on which candidate is ahead rather than on national issues
Media event
A situation that is so “newsworthy” that the mass media are compelled to cover it. Candidates in elections often create such situations to garner media attention
Television hypothesis
The belief that television is to blame for the low level of citizens’ knowledge about public affairs
Political agenda
A list of issues that need government attention
Watchdog journalism
Journalism that scrutinizes public and business institutions and publicizes perceived misconduct
The means employed in mass communication; often divided into print media and broadcast media
Mass media
Leaders who follow news in specific policy areas
Attentive policy elites
The process in which a few policy elites gather information and then inform their more numerous followers, mobilizing them to apply pressure to government
Two-step flow of communication
A form of newsletters, journal, or “log” of thoughts for public reading, usually devoted to social or political issues and often updated daily. The term derives from weblog
Blogs
The degree to which a news story is important enough to be covered in the mass media
Newsworthiness
Both reporting news and running commercials geared to a target audience defined by demographic characteristics
Market – driven journalism
A mix of information and diversion oriented to personalities or celebrities, not linked to the day’s events, and usually unrelated to public affairs or policy; often called “soft news.”
Infotainment
An independent federal agency that regulates interstate and international communication by radio, television, telephone, telegraph, cable, and satellite
Federal Communications Commission (FCC)
Media executives, news editors, and prominent reporters who direct the flow of news
Gatekeepers
Election coverage by the mass media that focuses on which candidate is ahead rather than on national issues
Horse race journalism
A situation that is so “newsworthy” that the mass media are compelled to cover it. Candidates in elections often create such situations to garner media attention
Media event
The belief that television is to blame for the low level of citizens’ knowledge about public affairs
Television hypothesis
A list of issues that need government attention
Political agenda
Journalism that scrutinizes public and business institutions and publicizes perceived misconduct
Watchdog journalism
