AP Government - Chapter 16 Vocab

affiliates

Smaller stations that receive the broadcasting from one central location

Associated Press

a formal news organization finalized by (New York's leading) editors in 1848 to share news across the country

bandwagon effect

a phenomenon in which people do something only because other people are doing it

Big Three networks

ABC, CBS, and NBC set the tone for television journalism that is still largely followed today

broadcast network

the broadcasting from one central location to several smaller stations

Cable News Network (CNN)

created in 1980, it gave Americans access to national news 24 hours a day for the first time

commentary

Opinion and interpretation rather than "just-the-facts" reporting

confirmation bias

the tendency to seek out and interpret information in a way that confirms what they already believe

consumer-driven media

media whose content is influenced by the actions and needs of consumers

C-SPAN

the Cable Satellite Public Affairs Network; a privately funded, nonprofit public service that covers the House and Senate

editorial boards

groups of veteran journalists who guide the editorial philosophy of the organization

editorials

the organization's opinion pieces

Fairness Doctrine

a former federal policy that required radio and television broadcasters to present alternative viewpoints

Federal Communications Commission (FCC)

a federal agency created in 1934 that regulates electronic media; has authority over the content of radio, television, wire, and satellite broadcasts; and regulates ownership by attempting to prevent monopolies

Fox News Channel (FNC)

Started in 1996, it was an alternative news channel that drastically altered cable news and favored conservatives

Freedom of Information Act (FOIA)

signed into law in 1966, it allows the public to gain access to nonclassified federal documents

free press

an uninhibited institution that places an additional check on government to maintain honesty, ethics, and transparency

gatekeeper

the role of the editorial boards of news media to determine what is newsworthy and therefore decide what information the public will receive

Government Printing Office (GPO)

a permanent federal agency to print government publications

Horse-race journalism (scorekeeping)

news coverage in which reporters find new ways to discuss who is leading and who is falling behind; it tends to focus on public opinion polls rather than candidates' ideas, policies, or biographies as those remain fairly static

investigative reporting

a new genre of journalism as reporters dug deep into stories to expose corruption in government and other institutions

mainstream media

the collection of traditional news organizations that still operate an objective news model

narrowcasting

a concept where demand for more media content encourages the growth of media outlets with a specific political agenda and a targeted audience

news bureaus

offices beyond a newspaper's headquarters

political analysis

a form of journalistic expression that explores and provides opinions on a topic in depth

political reporting

standard "just-the-facts" kinds of stories

press conferences

meetings held by a full-time White House press secretary with reporters

scorekeeper

the role of the media to track political successes and failures

sound bites

short excerpts edited from a longer remark that are especially vivid in presenting an issue

talk radio

syndicated political shows that air at stations coast-to-coast

watchdog

part of the press's function where journalists are obligated to keep an eye on the government or industry