Exam #2 Review Flashcards
What clause protects copyright, and how does it conflict with the First Amendment?
The Copyright Clause (Article I, Section 8) allows Congress to grant exclusive rights to authors and inventors, but it sometimes limits free speech.
Ex: music sampling restrictions, affecting artists
What does the FCC regulate, and how does it treat broadcast vs. print media?
- radio
- TV
- satellite
- cable
- internet
broadcast media: enforces stricter rules
print media: mostly unregulated
Ex: The Fairness Doctrine used to make broadcasters show balanced views.
Why do people support media regulation?
- protect the public interest
- prevent monopolies
- ensure diverse viewpoints
- limit harmful content.
Ex: TFD ensured balanced coverage of public issues before its repeal.
Why do people support media deregulation?
- they believe in free-market competition
- audiences, not the government, should decide what succeeds
Ex: The 1996 Telecommunications Act allowed major media mergers.
How is media content regulated in the U.S.?
- Print media = no regulation
- broadcast media = FCC restrictions (e.g., indecency bans from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m.).
Ex: The FCC fined CBS after a Super Bowl wardrobe malfunction.
What are key media regulation debates today? What do regulation and deregulation proponents want in each debate and why do they believe the government should follow their position?
- Copyright: Should protections be extended or limited?
- Online content: Should social media filter misinformation?
- Defamation: Should it be easier for public figures to sue the press?
Ex: NTY v. Sullivan (1964) set a high bar for proving defamation.
What is industry self-regulation?
When media industries set their own rules to avoid government interference.
Ex: MPAA movie ratings (e.g., PG-13, R) help guide content restrictions.
What major problems do media professionals face?
High production costs and unpredictable audience tastes make success uncertain.
Ex: HBO spent $60M on Game of Thrones before knowing it would be a hit
What are media “conventions”?
Standard practices that guide media production.
Ex: News stories follow the “inverted pyramid” format.
What is the “blockbuster strategy” in media?
Investing big money in a few major productions to maximize profits.
Ex: Warner Bros. spent $250M on Harry Potter, led them to earn $7.7B.
What is a “beat” in journalism?
A specific topic or location a journalist covers regularly.
Ex: A White House beat reporter covers presidential news.
What is the “news net” in journalism?
A structured system for gathering and filtering news.
Ex: Newsrooms hold daily editorial meetings to decide coverage.
Why is objectivity a “method” in journalism?
Objectivity is about fair reporting, not absolute truth—journalists use fact-checking and multiple sources.
Ex: The AP Stylebook helps reporters stay neutral.
