AP Gov chapter 12

Commitment to free press

The principle that supports the freedom of the press to operate without government interference.

Libel

A false and defamatory written statement that damages someone's reputation.

Freedom of Information Act

A law that gives the public the right to access information from the federal government.

Unrestricted internet access

The ability to access all information on the internet without censorship.

Privately owned media

Media outlets that are owned by individuals or corporations rather than the government.

Media bias

The perceived bias of journalists and news producers within the mass media.

The party press

An era in American journalism where newspapers were controlled by political parties.

Political parties controlled newspapers

A historical context where political parties influenced newspaper content.

The popular press

A form of journalism that appeals to a mass audience, often through sensationalism.

Associated Press

An American news agency founded in 1846 that delivers news to its members.

Sensationalism

A style of reporting that exaggerates or focuses on shocking events to attract attention.

Muckraking

Investigative journalism that aims to expose social injustices or corruption.

Electronic journalism

News reporting that is delivered through electronic means such as TV and radio.

Radio (1920s)

A medium that became popular in the 1920s for broadcasting news and entertainment.

Television (1940s)

A medium introduced in the 1940s that changed how news was consumed by the public.

Blogs

Online platforms where individuals share opinions and news, often informal.

Social media

Websites and applications that enable users to create and share content or participate in social networking.

Media choice and political knowledge

The relationship between the variety of media sources available and the level of informed political awareness among the public.

Framing

The way in which information is presented to influence perception.

Media as a watchdog

The role of the media in overseeing political accountability and exposing misconduct.

Political campaigns as a political game

The perspective that campaigns focus on strategy and tactics rather than substantial issues.

Sensationalism and negativity

The tendency of media to emphasize scandalous and negative aspects of news stories.

Government Regulation of the Media

Laws and policies governing how media companies operate and compete.

FCC (Federal Communications Commission)

The U.S. government agency responsible for regulating communications by radio, television, wire, satellite, and cable.

Professional journalists' confidentiality

The ethical commitment of journalists to protect the identity of their confidential sources.

Public service campaigning

Campaigns that aim to inform and educate the public about important issues.

Least governmental regulation

The standard for newspapers, which operate under minimal government control.

No prior restraint

The legal principle that prevents the government from restricting publication before it occurs.

Most governmental regulation

The standard for radio and television, which are subject to more oversight compared to newspapers.

License needed

Requirement for radio and television stations to obtain a license to broadcast.

Competitive

Referring to the competitive nature of radio and television stations in the media market.