Mr wilsons last test

media

any method of communication and refers to a broad spectrum of shared information

print media

allowed information to be shared in detail, quickly, and at a low cost

yellow journalism

stories are often written with inherent biases or sensationalistic writing and language and never have very specific sources for their information

investigative journalism

when a journalist seeks to discover information previously hidden from the public

broadcast media

television, radio, podcast, and videos. these media types are popular with the public because they do not have to be read, are easily accessible, and are readily available.

internet media

encompasses all other media forms because all other media are available via the internet

social media

allows for both sharing of information and the sharing of thoughts

media bias

when an individual or company producing media appeals to their own bias instead of providing objective information

bias through selection and omission

the process of where one goes to attain their media

bias by placement

buying into a certain viewpoint in a newspaper or piece of media so as to change the mind of the individual reading it

public opinion

the general populations thoughts on a particular issue

what is one of the main ways to determine public opinion

public opinion polls

the Gallup poll

1935; measures public opinion and attitudes on various political, social, and economic issues

what factors affect public opinion

politicians, news media, socioeconomic status, major world events, opinion leaders,

political socialization

process by which people from their ideas about politics

what is one of the most important influence on our political opinions

family

do children often take on the political culture of their older family members?

yes

socioeconomic status

measure of an individuals/ family\’s economic and social position based on education, income, and occupation

does income affect who people vote for?

yes! 56% of those who earn less than 30k voted democrat and 62% who make more that 200k voted republican

mass media

any means of communication intended to reach the general public audience

voting

the act of collectively expressing opinions or decisions

what does political participation include

voting and any other activity that involves the political field

idealism

pursuit of a higher goal or idea

what contributes to nonparticipation in politics

contentment, apathy, alienation

why don’t some people vote

difficulty with registration, difficulty with absentee voting, weekday voting

types of political participation

voting in elections, communicating with representatives, attending political rallies, becoming a member of a political party

unconventional approaches in political participation

demonstrations, protests, marches, boycotts

Federal Radio Commission

a commission dedicated to licensing broadcasters and reducing radio interference

fundamental fairness doctrine

a policy that applies due process to judicial proceedings in the context of fairness

fairness doctrine

used by three FCC that had a goal of ensuring that news broadcasting stations coverage of controversial topics were fair and balanced

watchdog

protects democracy and citizen rights and holds politicians and government accountable for what they say and do

Fourth Estate (Mainstream Media)

an entity that acts as a check on government and holds politicians and government agencies accountable to the public

fifth estate

a source of information and news outside the mainstream media with the same role as the watchdog

bias through labeling

occurs in the media when a certain group is identified or portrayed in a certain way

interest group

any association of individuals on the basis of one or more shared concerns, attempts to influence public policies in its favor

lobbying

bringing pressure to bear on policy makers to gain policy outcomes to their favor

political action committees

try to win elections

iron triangle

mutualy beneficial, three way relationship between Congress, government bureaucrats, and special interest lobby groups

lobbyists

people who pursuade government officials to support policies benecial to their organization

economic interest groups

influence economic interests of their members, such as reducing government regulations or increasing members pay and benefits

private interest groups

they seek policies that primarily benefit their members or a specific group rather than the public at large

noneconomic interest groups (aka citizen public issue groups)

focused on policies that do not improve members economic interests but instead seek collective goods

what are the different interest groups

business, religious, civil rights, ideological, single issue, government, professional interest, consumer interest, agricultural, foreign

pluralism

all interests are and should be free to compete for influence in the government, the outcome of this competition is compromise and moderation

hyper-pluralism

describes political systems that cater to interest groups and not the people

demosclerosis

the inability of government to accomplish anything substanial

free rider

a person who chooses to receive the benefits of a public good without doing anything

purposive benefits

the emotional benefits members receive knowing they have contributed to a cause

solidarity benefits

social benefits when people meet new friends they worked with to promote the cause

informational benefits

more education of a cause

material benefits

goods and services you receive to entice others to join

PAC

can only give 5k to a candidate

SUPER PAC

can give an unlimited amount of money

dark money

money that cant be traced