VQ #12 Media

Bandwagon Effect

a shift in electoral support to the candidate whom public opinion polls report as the front-runner

Broadcast Network

transmitting from one central location to smaller affiliates and providing diverse content to diverse viewers

Commentary

opinion and interpretation rather than "just the facts" reporting

Confirmation Bias

a tendency to search for information that supports our preconceptions and to ignore or distort contradictory evidence

Consumer Driven Media

media whose content is influenced by the actions and needs to those watching or reading the publication

Editorial Boards

group of veteran journalists who guide philosophy of the news organization

Fairness Doctrine

A former rule of the Federal Communications Commission that required broadcasters to give time to opposing view if they broadcast a program giving one side of a controversial issue.

Federal Communications Commission

an independent government agency that regulates interstate and international communications by radio and television and wire and cable and satellite

Freedom of Information Act

a federal statute that requires public agencies to provide certain types of information requested by citizens

Gatekeeper

the position of the national press in choosing what topics become national issues for how long

Horse-race Journalism

political journalism of elections that focuses on polling data, public perception instead of candidate policy, and almost exclusive reporting on candidate differences rather than similarities.

Investigative Reporting

form of journalism in which reporters deeply dive into a single topic of interest, such as serious crimes, political corruption, or corporate wrongdoing.

Mainstream Media

moniker given collectively to the various large mass news media that influence a large number of people, and both reflect and shape prevailing currents of thought.

Narrowcasting

transmission of television program or network, especially by cable, or otherwise disseminate information, to a comparatively small audience defined by special interest or geographical location.

Political Analysis

journalistic expression that explores and provides political opinions on a topic in depth

Political Reporting

"just the facts" reporting of government and its leaders

Press Conference

meeting before the media that generally takes the form of a question and answer session

Scorekeeper

the national press as it keeps track of who/what is winning and losing in polling

Sound Bite

short excerpts of statements made by politicians edited from longer remarks that are vivid in presenting an idea

Watchdog

journalist obligation to keep an eye on government or industry - major role of media