Class+10+-+Media+and+Politics

Media & Politics

  • Importance of media in modern political landscape.

  • The role of media in shaping public perception and political discourse.

The 4th Estate

  • Definition: Journalism is referred to as the 4th estate of power.

    • Estates of power:

      • 1st: Clergy (Bishops and Priests)

      • 2nd: Nobility (Dukes and Earls)

      • 3rd: Commoners with Power

      • 4th: The Press

  • The Constitution presumes the necessity of media in preserving democracy.

  • Quote from Thomas Jefferson: "An educated citizenry is a vital requisite for our survival as a free people."

Adversarial Press

  • The Constitution anticipates an adversarial relationship between government and press.

  • The foundational belief that the press must be able to question those in power to ensure freedom.

  • This questioning can lead to tense encounters between the media and politicians.

Press and Trump Administration

  • President Trump had notable conflicts with the media.

  • White House press team often faced scrutiny regarding policies and actions.

Media Bias

  • Despite attempts for balanced reporting, critics claim that media lacks impartiality.

  • MEDIA BIAS: Perceived bias that slants news coverage.

  • Framing: Selective control over how stories shape public perception.

Agenda-Setting Theory

  • Media's role in determining societal conversation topics.

  • Definition: Agenda-setting is not telling what to think, but influencing what to think about.

  • Prominent topics in media give the impression of importance.

Government-Media Relationship

  • It's crucial for media to question governmental actions but equally essential for government to communicate effectively.

  • The government invests in public relations to portray a positive image and ensure public confidence.

Control of Information Flow

  • News Dump: Timing disclosures of bad news strategically to minimize public attention.

  • News Leak: Information purposely given to journalists to publish and control narratives.

Communicating Government Messages

  • Government strategically manages messages to foster public approval.

  • If unable to control the narrative, attacks on media may occur.

Importance of Sound Bites

  • Sound Bite: Length of time a news subject speaks uninterrupted.

  • Dramatic decrease in average sound bites over decades:

    • 1968: 42.3 seconds

    • 1988: 9.8 seconds

    • 2008: Under 8 seconds

  • Focus on horse race aspect often overshadows substantive issue coverage.

Political Advertising

  • Candidates are increasingly relying on paid advertising to control messaging.

  • Types of political ads include:

  • Candidate-based ads: Focus on the candidate positively.

  • Issue-based ads: Center on specific voter issues.

  • Attack ads: Negative portrayals of opponents, especially crucial in tight races.

Efficacy of Negative Ads

  • 1997 study suggested negative ads decreased the public's favorable view of the candidate running them.

  • Negative ads perceived as less ethical and may alienate younger voters.

Campaign Costs

  • Running for office, especially at higher levels, is financially burdensome, partly due to advertising expenses.

  • Media companies profit significantly from political advertising.

Politics and Entertainment

  • Politics has increasingly resembled entertainment formats.

  • Media framing and the use of dramatic visuals create a show business feel around political debates.

  • Social media platforms amplify politicians' theatrical narratives and conflict-driven statements.

Historical Significance of Debates

  • The 1960 Kennedy-Nixon debate was pivotal.

  • Visual persona vs. auditory arguments impacted audience perceptions.

Modern Political Campaigns

  • Today’s campaigns incorporate showbiz elements in debates.

  • Candidate staging, audience dynamics, and visual branding are crucial to engagement.

Digital Transformation of Politics

  • The internet has revolutionized political communication.

  • Candidates use websites and social media to engage voters.

  • Increased informal interactions through platforms like podcasts, e.g., Joe Rogan's interview with Trump in 2024.

Call to Action

  • Personal anecdote about voting in 2016 and a reminder for engagement in upcoming elections.