The Media
Medium and Mass Media
Medium - a means of communication of information
Mass Media - includes means of communications that can reach a large, widely dispersed audiences simultaneously
Mirrors and Molders
Media as a Mirror
The media presents the stories and information that reflects what we are interested in.
Media as a Molder
The media can shape our beliefs by presenting information to us that we didn’t know.
Policy Roles of the Media
Voter Education
Explain the various policy issues and candidates being debated
Test Balloons
Politicians will leak ideas to the media to gauge public reaction
see how public feels about ideas to know how to go about the policies
set expectations - leak extreme version so then when the policy comes about, public is not as upset since it’s not as extreme
Watchdog
Investigate scandals by government officials and report it to the public
Public Forum
Serve as a place for the public to discuss and debate policy
Report the News and Discussing the Issues
Media is typically divided into two types of stories:
News - Reporting of events in as neutral a viewpoint as possible. Paying close attention to relay facts of events to readers with the intent to provide information. Readers can draw their own conclusions. Follows rules of ethical journalism.
Editorial - Opinions of authors that are presented to discuss issues of the day. The author makes clear their viewpoint and expresses the basis for their beliefs. Published in the editorial section and serve as a forum to public express ideas and opinions.
Wire Services
The cost of reporting the news has increase while revenues have declined.
Most major news organizations rely subscribing to wire services to supply reporting on news stories from around the world.
The best wire services are “not for profit” news agencies.
Cover national stories rather than small, community ones, so people don’t know what is happening in their community
Associated Press - American based english language news not for profit.
Reuters - United Kingdom based english language news not for profit.
Is The Media Bias?
The Media is not a monolithic entity. Certain publications may be bias, but the media itself is not (b/c it is not a monolithic entity).
Each publication and network may have a “house effect”.
The region and community can impact the type of stories that are covered or not covered. This can collectively shape a media organization.
Coastal Preference
Urban Preference
Educational Preference
Changing Media Habits
The Bubble
Social media by design lets you filter your stories/news
Your friends share similar interests with you so you share similar stories
Search algorithms actively log your preferences and give you complimentary and results
Modern Story Cycle
Events are Reported
A wire service or investigative journalist publishes a story.
These stories circulate through mass media outlets.
-(these are real news, neutral not editorial)
Events are Interpreted
Opinion Editorials (Op-Eds) present an interpretation of the events.
Cable News “Pundits” debate the meaning of the events and impacts.
-discussing the stories, editorial
Interactive News
Individuals and Organizations condensed and repackage the original reporting and editorials for Social Media presentation
-Viral Videos, Memes, Articles
Media Reporting on Media
Repackaged stories that trend online are reported on traditional media outlets as additional stories.
Cable news networks reporting on other cable news networks reporting.
-talking about the takes people had on the thing, unnecessary
-media on media, journalists talking to themselves