Media terms

agenda setting

the media’s ability to choose which issues or topics get attention

beat

the coverage area assigned to journalists for news or stories

citizen journalism

video and print news posted to the Internet or social media by citizens rather than the news media

cultivation theory

the idea that media affect a citizen’s worldview through the information presented

digital paywall

the need for a paid subscription to access published online material

equal-time rule

an FCC policy that all candidates running for office must be given the same radio and television airtime opportunities

fairness doctrine

a 1949 Federal Communications Commission (FCC) policy, now defunct, that required holders of broadcast licenses to cover controversial issues in a balanced manner

framing

the process of giving a news story a specific context or background

Freedom of Information Act (FOIA)

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

hypodermic theory

the idea that information is placed in a citizen’s brain and accepted

indecency regulations

laws that limit indecent and obscene material on public airwaves

libel

printed information about a person or organization that is not true and harms the reputation of the person or organization

mass media

the collection of all media forms that communicate information to the general public

minimal effects theory

the idea that the media have little effect on citizens

muckraking

news coverage focusing on exposing corrupt business and government practices

party press era

period during the 1780s in which newspaper content was biased by political partisanship

priming

the process of predisposing readers or viewers to think a particular way

prior restraint

a government action that stops someone from doing something before they are able to do it (e.g., forbidding someone to publish a book they plan to release)

public relations

biased communication intended to improve the image of people, companies, or organizations

reporter’s privilege

the right of a journalist to keep a source confidential

slander

spoken information about a person or organization that is not true and harms the reputation of the person or organization

soft news

news presented in an entertaining style

sunshine laws

laws that require government documents and proceedings to be made public

yellow journalism

sensationalized coverage of scandals and human interest stories

Media

A vessel, channel, transmitter, container, or medium through which information or a message travels from an author to an audience.

Corporate, for-profit media

Information produced and disseminated by companies for profit. Examples include Warner Brothers, MGM, CNN, FOX News, Apple, and Disney.

Social media

Mass, interactive media where information comes in the form of a dialogue, people participate, share, and exchange. Authors and audiences are simultaneously millions of people. Examples include Facebook, Instagram, Youtube, Pinterest, Twitter, and Tiktok.

Printing press

Information is printed on paper by author(s).

Participatory press

Press based on people participating in commenting on articles or videos; audiences read both the content and comments.

Professional journalism

Professional reporting of current events, requiring training and expertise.

Citizen journalism

Anybody can report on and comment on current events via blogs or channels, without credentials or vetting.

Adversarial journalism

Hostile, partisan, and uncompromising reporting about a public figure or event.

Nonprofit journalism

Information compiled and presented to the public by universities and colleges.

Hard news

Formal, official, substantial, reliable, deep, and informative news.

Soft news

News focused on scandals, drama, affairs, celebrities, and emotional appeals; light-hearted and easy to understand.