AP Gov Ch 12 - The Media

FCC (role and who they regulate)

The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) is a U.S. government agency responsible for regulating interstate and international communications by radio, television, wire, satellite, and cable. They oversee all non

Roles of the Media:

The media serves multiple roles, including: 1. Informing the public about events, issues, and policies. 2. Acting as a watchdog by monitoring government actions and exposing corruption. 3. Serving as a gatekeeper by influencing which information is presented to the public. 4. Framing issues by providing context and perspective. 5. Acting as a public forum for debate and discussion.

Gatekeeper (Setting Agenda)

As gatekeepers, media outlets decide which events and issues are newsworthy and should be reported, thereby influencing the public agenda by highlighting certain topics over others.

Framing

Framing refers to the way media presents and structures information, influencing how audiences perceive and interpret events and issues by emphasizing particular aspects.

Watchdog

The watchdog role involves the media acting as an overseer of government, business, and other institutions, investigating and exposing wrongdoing, corruption, or mismanagement to hold power accountable.

Telecommunications Act of 1996

This act was the first major overhaul of telecommunications law in the U.S. in over 60 years, aiming to promote competition and reduce regulation in the broadcasting and telecommunications markets.

Role of social networking, blogging, and the Internet in politics today

Social networking, blogging, and the Internet have transformed political communication by enabling direct engagement between politicians and constituents, facilitating rapid dissemination of information, and mobilizing support for political causes.

Who do journalists identify with?

Journalists often identify with the public interest, striving for objectivity and neutrality, though personal biases and perspectives can influence their reporting. They aim to provide accurate and fair information to their audience.

Most Americans Primarily rely on what source for news?

As of recent studies, most Americans primarily rely on digital platforms, especially social media, for news consumption, surpassing traditional sources like newspapers and television.

Print newspapers

Print newspapers are traditional paper

Horse

race journalism

What types of media are subject to the greatest amount of government regulation?

Broadcast media, such as television and radio, are subject to the greatest amount of government regulation due to their use of public airwaves and their potential impact on the public.

Echo chambers

Echo chambers are environments where individuals are exposed only to information and opinions that reinforce their existing beliefs, leading to polarization and a lack of exposure to diverse perspectives.

Most journalists have which type of bias

Journalists strive for objectivity, but studies suggest they may have a slight liberal bias, particularly in urban areas. However, biases can vary based on location, medium, and individual perspectives.

Libel and what needs to be present to be found guilty of this

Libel is a form of defamation expressed in print, pictures, or other visual symbols. To be found guilty, the statement must be false, damaging to the person's reputation, made with a degree of fault (negligence or actual malice), and not protected by privilege.

What did Congress do when the Supreme Court upheld the right of the police to search newspaper offices?

After the Supreme Court upheld the right of police to search newspaper offices in Zurcher v. Stanford Daily (1978), Congress passed the Privacy Protection Act of 1980, which limited such searches to protect press freedom.

New York Times v. Sullivan

New York Times Co. v. Sullivan is a landmark Supreme Court case that established the standard for proving libel against public figures, requiring proof of actual malice.

Sullivan (1964)

A landmark Supreme Court case that established the 'actual malice' standard for defamation cases involving public officials, protecting press freedom by requiring proof that statements were made with knowledge of their falsity or with reckless disregard for the truth.

Factors contributing to decreased public trust in media

Perceived bias, sensationalism, the rise of misinformation, and the fragmentation of media sources, leading to skepticism about media credibility.

Mass Media

Means of communication that reach the public, including newspapers, magazines, radio, television (broadcast, cable, and satellite), films, recordings, books, and electronic communications.

News Media

Media that emphasize the news, focusing on current events and information dissemination.

Yellow Journalism

Exaggeration and sensationalism in the news media to attract readers, often prioritizing eye

Investigative Journalism

In

Media Event

An event staged primarily for media consumption, designed to convey a particular message or image to the public.

Gatekeeper

The role of media in influencing which issues are considered important by deciding which news to present.

Scorekeeper

The role of media in tracking political successes and failures, often focusing on who is ahead in polls and elections.

Sound Bite

A short, catchy segment of speech or music extracted from a longer piece, often used in news broadcasts.

Spin

The presentation of information in a biased way to influence public perception, often used by politicians and media outlets.

Media Bias

The perceived bias of journalists and news producers within the mass media, affecting how events and issues are portrayed.

Public Agenda

The set of issues that are perceived by the political community as meriting public attention and governmental action.

Public Opinion Polls

Surveys conducted to measure public sentiment on various issues, candidates, or policies.

Political Socialization

The process by which individuals acquire their political beliefs and values, influenced by family, education, media, and peers.

Priming

The process by which media influence the salience of issues, making certain topics more prominent in the public's mind.

Echo Chamber

An environment where individuals are exposed only to information that reinforces their existing beliefs, leading to polarization.

Libel

A form of defamation expressed in print, pictures, or other visual symbols, damaging a person's reputation.

Slander

A form of defamation expressed in speech, damaging a person's reputation.

Freedom of Information Act (FOIA)

A law that grants the public access to records from any federal agency, promoting transparency.

Shield Laws

Laws that protect journalists from being compelled to testify about confidential information or sources in court.

Prior Restraint

Government action that prohibits speech or other expression before it can take place, generally unconstitutional in the U.S.

Fairness Doctrine

A former policy requiring broadcasters to present contrasting viewpoints on controversial issues of public importance.

Equal Time Rule

A Federal Communications Commission (FCC) rule that requires broadcast media to provide equal opportunities to all political candidates.

Political Action Committee (PAC)

An organization that raises and spends money to influence elections or legislation, often representing special interests.

Super PAC

A type of PAC that can raise and spend unlimited amounts of money, but cannot coordinate directly with candidates or parties.

Soft News

Media content that is primarily entertaining or sensational, rather than strictly informative or hard

Hard News

Media content that focuses on factual reporting of current events and important issues.

Citizen Journalism

The collection, dissemination, and analysis of news and information by the general public, especially by means of digital technologies.

Media Consolidation

The process by which fewer corporations own more of the media outlets, potentially reducing diversity of viewpoints.

Public Broadcasting

Media outlets that are funded by the public, such as PBS and NPR, aiming to provide educational and informative content.

Net Neutrality

The principle that Internet service providers should treat all data on the Internet the same, and not discriminate or charge differently by user, content, website, or application.

Digital Divide

The gap between those who have or do not have access to modern information and communication technology, such as the Internet.

Cybersecurity

The practice of protecting systems, networks, and programs from digital attacks, which is crucial for protecting information in the digital age.

Deep Web

The portion of the Internet that is not indexed by traditional search engines, often containing private databases and password

Dark Web

A small part of the deep web that is intentionally hidden and inaccessible through standard web browsers, often associated with illegal activities.

Fake News

False or misleading information presented as news, often spread through social media to deceive or misinform.

Clickbait

Web content designed to attract clicks, often through sensationalized headlines or images, regardless of content accuracy.

Filter Bubble

A state of intellectual isolation that can result from personalized searches when a website algorithm selectively guesses what information a user would like to see based on information about the user.

Hashtag Activism

The use of hashtags on social media platforms to promote awareness of social or political issues and mobilize support.

Viral Content

Media that becomes popular through rapid sharing, typically on social media platforms, due to its entertaining or emotional appeal.

Astroturfing

The practice of creating a fake appearance of grassroots support for a cause, often used in political campaigns to sway public opinion.

Media Literacy

The ability to access, analyze, evaluate, and create media in various forms, promoting critical thinking about media messages.

Digital Footprint

The trail of data you leave on the Internet, including websites visited, emails sent, and information submitted online.

Hate Speech

Speech that offends, threatens, or insults individuals or groups based on attributes such as race, religion, ethnicity, sexual orientation, disability, or gender.

Freedom of the Press

The right of journalists to publish the truth without restriction or penalty, a fundamental principle in democratic societies.

Public Interest Broadcasting

Media content that serves the public good, providing information and entertainment that benefits society as a whole.

Media Convergence

The merging of traditional media with digital communication technologies, resulting in new forms of content delivery and consumption.

Citizen Engagement

The involvement of citizens in the political process, facilitated by media platforms that allow for participation and feedback.

Political Communication

The process by which information, opinions, and ideas about politics are transmitted through media channels to the public.

Media Regulation

The management and oversight of media content and ownership, aiming to ensure diversity, prevent monopolies, and protect consumers.

Social Media Influencers

Individuals who have the power to affect the purchasing decisions of others because of their authority, knowledge, position, or relationship with their audience.

User

Generated Content

Digital Democracy

A form of democracy in which citizens can participate in political processes through digital means, such as online voting or e

Information Overload

A state of being overwhelmed by the amount of information one is exposed to, making it difficult to make decisions or understand issues.

Privacy Policy

A statement that discloses how a website gathers, uses, discloses, and manages a user's data, aiming to protect user privacy.

Terms of Service

The rules and guidelines that users must agree to in order to use a service, outlining the rights and responsibilities of users.