The Media as a Linkage Institution (1)

Media Presentation and American Views

• The lecture discusses how media shapes American views and acts as a linkage institution in politics.

Categories of Media Reporting

Political Reporting

• Standard factual reporting without opinion.

• Government officials utilize the media to announce initiatives or transitions.

• Officials test ideas and publicize their names.

• There is a dynamic relationship between officials and reporters, often fraught with tension.

Political Commentary

• Represents opinion and interpretation rather than just factual reporting.

• The distinction between objective reporting and slanted information has blurred over time.

• Fewer media outlets in the past allowed for more objective reporting.

• Increased media options lead to a rise in political commentary, reflecting polarized American viewpoints.

Political Analysis

• Reporters provide analysis and take stances on issues, integrating opinion.

• Ideologically slanted outlets compete with traditional networks, providing another pathway for news consumption.

• Framing: how news organizations define issues, affecting public opinion (e.g., Politico, CNN’s Anderson Cooper).

Media as a Linkage Institution

Scorekeeper

• Media tracks political candidates' successes and failures.

• This role leads to "horse race journalism", focusing more on polling numbers than candidate policies.

• The bandwagon effect may occur, where support for candidates rises solely based on polling data.

Gatekeeper

• Refers to what is covered by the media and what is deemed newsworthy.

• Media organizations decide in advance what will be covered, shaping public perception.

• This impacts which issues are considered important, influencing both public and governmental agendas.

Watchdog

• The media has an obligation to monitor government activities.

• Investigative journalism aims to expose corruption and inefficiency, a tradition rooted in American history.

• Historical examples include:

  • Muckraking journalists of the late 1800s and early 1900s exposing big business corruption.

  • Ida Tarbell’s expose on Standard Oil, leading to significant change.

  • Daniel Ellsberg and the Pentagon Papers revealing government deception regarding the Vietnam War.

  • Watergate scandal uncovered by Carl Bernstein and Bob Woodward.

  • Abu Ghraib scandal highlighting torture issues during the Iraq War.

  • Upton Sinclair's "The Jungle" led to the Pure Food and Drug Act, creating the FDA.

Media Coverage of Government Institutions

Congress

• Media coverage focuses on leadership due to the volume and complexity of Congress.

• Reporters target top leadership and committee chairs depending on issues.

Courts

• Limited media coverage, especially in the Supreme Court.

• Media focus is mainly on major cases or vacancies rather than day-to-day activities.

The Presidency

• The presidency receives the most media coverage.

• Each news outlet typically has a dedicated White House reporter.

• The president can command airtime and direct media attention, ensuring significant coverage.