gov chapters 5-8

social media

online platforms that allow users to create, share, and interact with content

unmediated communication

direct communication between individuals without filtering or gatekeeping by journalists or traditional media

freedom of the press

the right of journalists to publish information without governance interference.

watchdog role of the press

→ The press monitors government and powerful institutions to hold them accountable.

marketplace of ideas

the concept that ideas should compete freely in public debate, and the best ones will prevail in a democracy

upside of unmediated communication

rapid information spread, diverse voices, and open participation

downside of unmediated communication

misinformation spreads easily; lack of editorial oversight can cause harm.

u.s. constitutional protection for the press

first amendment

georgia constitutional protection for the press

article 1, section 1

origin of “the press”

comes from Johannes Gutenberg’s printing press, which made mass communication possible.

two vital functions of a free press democracy

informing citizens so they can make educated decisions.

acting as a watchdog on gov and inst.

third democratic fuction

enables direct citizen participation and engagement in public discourse.

informational model of journalism

focuses on objective reporting of facts, events, and issues rather than opinion or entertainment.

muckracking

investigative journalism aimed at exposing corruption or wrongdoing

soft news

entertainment focused or human-interest journalism (like celebrity or lifestyle stories)

citizen journalism

news reporting by ordinary individuals, often through social media or blogs

what’s happening to local newspapers today?

many are closing or shrinking due to revenue loss, weakening local watchdog roles and reducing oversight of local governments.

what is the political knowledge gap?

→ A growing difference between politically engaged citizens (who consume more news and become more informed) and disengaged citizens (who choose entertainment and remain less informed).

7⃣ How has the information revolution affected the political knowledge gap?

→ It gives engaged citizens more options for political news, but widens the gap as others avoid it.

Defamation

→ False statements that harm a person’s reputation.

2⃣ Slander

→ Spoken defamation.

Libel

→ Written defamation.

4⃣ Net Neutrality

→ The rule that internet service providers (ISPs) must treat all web traffic equally.

5⃣ Equal-Time Rule

→ Requires non-cable TV and radio stations to give political candidates equal opportunities for airtime.

6⃣ Section 230

→ Protects online platforms from being held legally responsible for user-generated content.

7⃣ Why do ISPs oppose net neutrality?

→ It limits their profit opportunities (e.g., charging websites for faster access).

8⃣ Why do consumer advocates support net neutrality?

→ It ensures fair access and prevents ISPs from discriminating against websites.

9⃣ Obama administration stance on net neutrality:

→ Supported it.

🔟 Trump administration stance on net neutrality:

→ Rolled back (removed) net neutrality rules.

11⃣ Section 230 controversy:

→ Critics say it lets social media companies avoid accountability for harmful content while giving them major power to moderate speech.

1⃣ Agenda Setting

→ The process by which media influences which issues the public considers important.

Framing

2⃣ → When media highlights certain aspects of an issue, shaping how people interpret it.

3⃣ Thematic Framing

→ Presents issues in the context of broader trends or long-term patterns (big picture).

4⃣ Episodic Framing

→ Focuses on individual events or short-term stories without broader context.

5⃣ Priming

→ Media attention affects what criteria people use to evaluate political leaders or issues.

6⃣ How does social media differ from traditional media in agenda setting?

→ Social media allows direct public participation and rapid spread of issues, while traditional media works more top-down.

7⃣ Difference between Thematic and Episodic Framing:

→ Thematic = analytical, broad context;
→ Episodic = emotional, focuses on single events.

8⃣ Polarized Trust in Sources

→ Republicans and Democrats increasingly trust different news outlets, leading to political polarization and mutual distrust.

1⃣ Ideological Bias

→ Favoring one political ideology over another in media coverage.

2⃣ Reliability

→ The accuracy, credibility, and trustworthiness of information.

3⃣ Misinformation

→ False information shared unintentionally.

4⃣ Disinformation

→ False information shared intentionally to deceive.

5⃣ Market Bias

→ When content decisions are driven by audience preferences or profits instead of public interest.

6⃣ Who most often claims the media is biased?

→ Conservatives/Republicans, who often say mainstream media is biased against them.

7⃣ Advantages of consuming ideologically diverse sources:

→ Encourages critical thinking, reduces echo chambers, and improves understanding of multiple perspectives.

8⃣ Benefits of relying on reliable sources:

→ Leads to accurate knowledge and better-informed decision-making.

9⃣ How do cost and revenue pressures affect media content?

→ Outlets may prioritize clickbait or entertainment over in-depth reporting, limiting citizens’ access to useful, decision-relevant information.