chapter 7: media Flashcards
role in linkage institution
creates agenda
links the people to the government transmits people’s preferences
how print media created yellow journalism
focused on violence, corruption, war, gossip with little regard for the truth
Kennedy v. Nixon debate
first televised presidential debate listeners on the radio though Nixon had won while those watching tv thought the well presented Kennedy won
narrowcasting
media programming on cable tv or the Internet that is focused on one topic and aimed at a particular audience
ESPN MTV C-SPAN
used by young people
as media has grown the coverage has increased making news available to everyone as it happens so even politicians get their info from the news
beats
locations from which news frequently emanates most top reporters are stationed at a particular beat and become specialists so most news comes from one beat
sound bites
short clips of politicians talking
only the most controversial and unusual aspects
mass media
television radio newspapers magazines and the Internet and other means of popular communication
talking heads
a shot of a persons face talking directly to the camera
visually unappealing so major networks rarely show politicians talking for very long
biased media
republicans claim a liberal bias in the news but studies have shown little bias as stories are usually presented point-counterpoint
chains
newspapers published by massive media conglomerates that account for over 4/5ths of the nations daily newspaper circulation. they often control broadcast media as well
private owned newspapers and bias
to keep them going they need to get huge audiences so they cover stories that are exciting they also cover less national news because Americans find it less important
watchdog
closely monitor front runners dig up history and keep a close eye on all important happenings of major candidates
gatekeeper
influence what subjects become national political issues (set the agenda)
scorekeeper
make political reputations
note who is being mentioned and decide who the winners and losers are
cover like horse races
agenda setter
sets the agenda (decide what is important) and puts things in the agenda
people depend on media to get their issues on the agenda
media focus on the president
rather than congress because he is a single person and is a public figure/representation of the government
what they cover from congress
scandals oversight hearings and confirmation hearings because they are more exciting and ratings will go up
glittering generalities
propaganda
broad, vague, impressive words/statements with little meaning
convince voters to accept their ideas without revealing facts
plain folks
propaganda
candidate tries to convince voters they are average American citizens to get sympathy
bandwagon
convince the public everyone else is supporting the candidate
name calling
propaganda
don’t discuss facts
give the party a negative label
influence voters to reject party/candidate without looking at evidence
transfer
propaganda associate candidates with a positive image or sound American flag patriotic colors power positions
testimonial
a prominent and well liked person endorses a candidate
repetition
propaganda
slogans and talking points
card staking
presenting only positive facts and overlooking the negative
high tech politics
a politics in which the behavior of citizens and policymakers and the political agenda itself are increasingly shaped by technology
media event
events purposely staged for the media that nonetheless look spontaneous
can be staged by any official, interest group etc.
FDR
press conferences and fireside chats
first to use media well
press conference
meetings of public officials with reporters
press secretary does them for the president
investigative journalism
the use of in depth reporting to unearth scandals, scams, and schemes at times putting reporters in adversarial relationships with political leaders
print media
newspapers and magazines
broadcast media
tv radio and the Internet
most famous newspaper
new york times
trial balloons
an international new leak for the purpose of assessing the publics reaction
policy entrepreneurs
people who invest their political capital in an issue could be in or out of government interest groups or research organizations
use media to get their interests heard
FCC
The federal communications commission regulates radio television cable and satellite
- limits the number of stations that can be owned by one company
- examines the goals and performances as part of licensing
- fair treatment rules for political candidates and officeholders on
Types of ads
If you add address is a political issue attack ad attacks another candidate
White House press corps
Stationed at the White House beats are in charge of press conferences
