Waples, American Government: Stories of a Nation for the AP® Course, 2E, Chapter 16

news media

a broad term that includes newspapers, magazines, radio, television, Internet sources, blogs, and social media postings that cover important events. Keep in mind that the word media is a plural that refers collectively to many sources of communication.

social media

forms of electronic communication that enable users to create and share content or to participate in social networking.

agenda setting

the media’s ability to highlight certain issues and influence public views about which policies are the most important.

mass media

sources of information designed to reach a wide audience, including newspapers, radio, television, and the Internet.

investigative journalism

when reporters dig into stories, often loo ing for instances of wrongdoing.

partisan bias

the slanting of political news coverage in support of a particular political party or ideology.

horse-race journalism

coverage of political campaigns that focuses more on popularity and on factors other than the qualifications and platforms of the candidates.