Chapter 13

freedom of the press

idea came from anti-federalists, first amendment right

yellow journalism

featured comics, pictures, colors, and sensationalized news coverage to increase readership

muckraking

devoted to exposing misconduct by gov, business, and politicans

digital age

era that news is currently in, causes newspaper and other print media to struggle

radio news

revolution at the time, popular in mid-80s, most broadcasts favor conservative values

TV news

available via broadcast, cable, and satellite

CNN, Fox, MSNBC

most widely known news channels, each cater to certain beliefs

c-span

covers congressional meetings

digital media

includes internet news, blogs, vlogs, and social media; lost traditional filters of editors and journalistic standards

benefit of digital media

allows citizens to become directly involved in creating and interpreting the news and is a powerful source of political organizing and fundraising

educated voting choices

requires citizens to be informed, news helps with this by analyzing politicians

press release

news release offering an official comment or position

press briefing

restricted live session between a press secretary and the press

press conference

unrestricted live session between an elected official and the press

press secretary

convinces media of importance of POTUS policy decisions and defends actions

covering congress

media focuses on party leaders and key committee chairs when newsworthy, coverage is often negative and focuses on conflict

covering scotus

very rare; no cameras allowed, only print and broadcast reporters in; cite fact they are non-political and autonomous

agenda setting

shapes which issues the public will debate and signals which stories are most important

framing

defines a political issues which affects opinions

indirect influence

control how a candidate or politician is viewed

reporting

sway public opinion and votes of people who lack strong political beliefs

impact on world views

impacts our views on topics far removed from our lives

journalistic standards

watchdogs, hold powerful and themselves accountable, integrity, independence, accuracy, contextual truth, transparency, respect and fairness

on the record

info provided that can be released and attributed by name of source

off the record

info provided that will not be released to the public

competitve nature

“get the story right or get it first,” 24 hour news cycle has heightened pressure

airwaves

considered public property and leased by gov, are in limited supply which requires some regulation

equal time rule

broadcast stations must sell their air-time equally to all candidates

right of rebuttal

right to respond to personal attacks made over public airwaves

internet drawback

struggle to control misinformation

narrowcasting

specific audience, tailored messaging, highly targeted, smaller budget, ex: Fox/MSNBC

broadcasting

mass audience, general message, scattered reach, larger budget

infotainment

blends political news and info with entertainment, popular with younger Americans, ex: SNL, Daily Show

citizen journalism

ordinary people who collect, report, and analyze news content; allows content to shared not traditionally covered by news outlets; not trained on rules/standards