Media

Exam and Grading Updates

• Grading Status

  • The instructor is currently grading the first class and will begin grading the exams for this class today.
  • All grades are expected to be posted on BlazeView before the instructor leaves for New York on Monday.
  • An email will be sent to explain the grades, including whether any curve adjustments will be made.

• Return of Physical Copies

  • Physical copies of the exams will be returned after the instructor's return to class, minimizing delay in receiving grade feedback.

Class Schedule and Requirements

• In-person Classes

  • There are no in-person classes next week.

• Video Lectures

  • Two videos will be available:
  • One on campaigns and elections.
  • One on interest groups.
  • Each lecture lasts approximately fifty minutes.

• Reading

  • Only one chapter reading is assigned, focused on interest groups, and the quiz will cover only this material.

Exam Feedback and Student Reactions

• The instructor engages students about their exam experiences, asking how they felt it went and if there were any surprising aspects.
  • Some students express varied feelings, indicating surprise or a sense of unpreparedness in certain areas.
• Despite the concerns, the instructor remains optimistic that students performed well.

Upcoming Events

• Department Events

  • Events are hosted by the political science department, including a roundtable discussion scheduled for Wednesday, April 15, at 6:00 PM in the Bailey Science Center.
  • Professors from political science and possibly a historian will participate in the discussion, focusing on significant topics, including the war with Iran.

• Extra Credit Opportunities

  • Attending the event counts as participation towards extra credit.
  • Completing three additional printed assignments can earn students up to 2% towards their overall course grade: attending the event yields 1%.

• Induction Ceremony

  • The event will also include an induction for new political science honor students, adding a ceremonial aspect to the roundtable discussion.

Introduction of Media Role

• Free Press

  • The role of media is introduced, centered around the exploration of a free press and its current implications for democracy.
  • The right to a free press is rooted in the First Amendment of the Constitution, which encompasses several freedoms:
  • Freedom of speech
  • Freedom of press
  • Freedom of assembly
  • Freedom of religion
  • Right to petition the government

• Impact of Free Press on Democracy

  • The instructor emphasizes the need for a free press to maintain democratic values and accountability in society, stating that elections without a free press can lead to authoritarian regimes, as exemplified in countries like Cuba and North Korea.

Examples of Media Accountability

• The instructor prompts students for examples of how the press has held governments accountable.

  • Students reference Watergate as a significant historical example of investigative journalism revealing government corruption.
  • Modern instances, such as investigations into fuel taxes and rates, are cited.

• Cinematic Example

  • The instructor describes a film about high school students uncovering embezzlement in a school district through their newspaper, highlighting youth contributions to journalistic accountability.

Importance of Local Journalism

• Discussions on the significance of student newspapers and local news outlets, exemplified by students' engagement with the university newspaper, Spectator.

  • Past exposes by the newspaper on issues such as surveillance cameras and recycling practices at the university are highlighted.

• Consequences of News Deserts

  • The concept of a "news desert" is introduced, pointing to areas with insufficient local news coverage which correlates with increased governmental corruption and lack of community awareness.

Muckraking and Investigative Journalism

• Definition of Muckrakers

  • In the context of the Progressive Era, muckrakers are described as journalists who uncover and expose societal issues, sometimes with sensationalism, though they are regarded positively in today's context.

• Historical Examples of Muckraking

  • Stories are shared regarding early reports on slum conditions, labor exploitation in factories, and revelations of government corruption (e.g., Jacob Riis and Upton Sinclair).
  • Significant muckraking journalism is further illustrated through cases such as the Pentagon Papers, revealing truths about the Vietnam War.

Role of the Press in Society

• Challenges the Press Faces

  • Historical lapses are discussed where the press failed to hold power accountable, such as during JFK's presidency.
  • Discussions on the current state of press coverage and the challenges of misinformation and biased reporting.

• Fact-Checking

  • Students are encouraged to use fact-checking organizations like FactCheck.org and PolitiFact to validate information and discern between true and false claims made by public figures.

• Community Notes and Citizen Journalism

  • The evolution of fact-checking on social media through community notes underscores the collective responsibility of individuals to engage critically with content.

Whistleblowers and Their Impact

• Definition of Whistleblowers

  • Whistleblowers are defined as individuals who expose unethical or illegal activity within their organizations, often facing significant risks.

• Historical References

  • Key examples include the Watergate scandal, where a whistleblower provided incriminating information, and modern cases like Edward Snowden, whose revelations about government surveillance initiated broad societal discussions about privacy and civil liberties.

Closing Thoughts

• The lesson concludes with a reflective discussion about the role of media in shaping democracy, accountability, and the ongoing importance of a vigilant press in preserving societal norms and ethics.
• Students are encouraged to remain informed, engaged, and critical consumers of media.