Media and Politics: Key Concepts and Historical Cases

Policy agenda

The issues that government officials choose to address; influenced heavily by media coverage.

Agenda setting

The media's power to shape what the public sees as important issues, thereby pressuring government to act.

Media event

A staged or highly publicized event designed for media coverage (e.g., State of the Union, candidate at a school reading).

Trial balloon

When officials leak information to see how the public reacts before making an official decision.

Sound bites

Short, catchy audio/video clips—usually under 15 seconds—used to summarize a candidate's message.

Narrowcasting

Media programming aimed at a specific audience segment (e.g., ESPN, Food Network, political podcasts).

Watchdog role

The media's job of monitoring and reporting on government actions and potential abuses of power.

Clarifying electoral choices

When media helps voters understand where candidates stand on issues.

Providing policy information

Media explaining government decisions, public policies, and their impact.

Newsworthiness

Criteria editors use to determine which stories to report (timeliness, conflict, emotion, etc.).

Spin

Government officials' attempt to influence how events are interpreted by providing a favorable narrative.

Talking points

Pre-prepared messages given to politicians to ensure consistent communication to the media.

Negativity and scandal

The media's tendency to focus on conflict, gaffes, or wrongdoing to attract attention.

Selective exposure

When individuals choose media sources that align with their existing beliefs.

High-tech politics

Politics in which technology shapes public opinion and political behavior, especially through media.

Policy entrepreneurs

Individuals who use their influence and media connections to raise awareness about issues.

Talking head

A shot of a person speaking directly to the camera; often criticized as boring and low-depth.

Mass media

Means of communication that reach the general public (TV, radio, newspapers).

Print media

Newspapers and magazines.

News outlets

Organizations that gather and report news to the public.

Press conferences

Meetings where officials answer questions from the press.

TV Network News Organizations

Major broadcasters like CNN, FOX News, MSNBC, ABC, CBS, NBC.

Nationally prominent newspapers

Wall Street Journal, New York Times, Washington Post, Time, Newsweek.

Washington Post

Newspaper famous for uncovering the Watergate scandal.

Associated Press / Reuters

Major news agencies that supply news to other outlets.

Alternatives to mainstream media

Political websites, government sites, blogs, social media, podcasts.

The Internet

A massive, largely unregulated platform for distributing information.

Beats

Specific areas reporters are assigned to cover (e.g., Congress, the White House).

Chains

Media groups that own many newspapers or broadcast stations.

Federal Communications Commission (FCC)

Government agency regulating airwaves and communications.

First Amendment (re: media)

Protects freedom of speech and press from government interference.

Prior restraint

Government censorship before publication; only allowed for extreme national security concerns.

Pentagon Papers

Supreme Court case limiting prior restraint; government failed to prove releasing documents endangered national security.

Alien and Sedition Acts

Early laws criminalizing criticism of government; seen as violating First Amendment.

Radio Act

Required licensing of radio stations.

Communications Act

Extended licensing rules to all airwave communications.

Telecommunications Act

Deregulated media ownership, increasing competition across telecom, cable, and broadcast.

Fairness Doctrine

Required contrasting viewpoints on controversial issues; abolished in 1985.

Equal Time Provision

Requires stations to provide equal advertising time to all political candidates.

Watergate scandal

Major political scandal uncovered by journalists; led to declining trust in government.