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.