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| Chapter 6: The Media |
| Video Exercises |
| Watch the videos below and answer the questions that follow. |
1. Jim Lehrer is a journalist and the news anchor for The NewsHour with Jim Lehrer on PBS. In the video below, Lehrer talks to MarketWatch's Jon Friedman about issues of media bias in election and convention coverage.
Watch the video below and answer the questions that follow. Jim Lehrer on Election Coverage
The Wall Street Journal Digital Network
First aired July 25, 2008How does Lehrer characterize the extent of media bias in election coverage? Do you believe that the media, in general, is biased in its coverage of liberal or conservative issues? Why or why not? |
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| 1b. What is the biggest challenge for and role of a journalist, according to Jim Lehrer? |
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2. The McCain/Palin campaign, during the 2008 presidential campaign, claimed that there was a pronounced mainstream media bias towards Barack Obama in the election coverage. The following video was created by the McCain/Palin campaign in an attempt to highlight this claim and provide evidence for the bias.
Watch the below video and answer the questions that follow. Obama Love 10
Produced by McCain/Palin 2008Do you think this campaign ad provides a compelling argument for media bias towards Barack Obama? Why or why not? Did you watch media coverage of the 2008 presiden-tial campaign? If so, did you witness any media bias towards John McCain or Barack Obama in the reporting by news organizations? |
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3. The Colbert Report, hosted by Stephen Colbert, is a parody of personality-driven political opinion shows such as those found on the cable news networks, wherein Col-bert hosts the show in character as a right-wing pundit.
Watch the below video and answer the questions that follow. The Word – Media Culpa
The Colbert Report
Comedy Central
First aired Monday, June 2, 2008What issues surrounding the media and its practices does Stephen Colbert discuss in the above video? Do you feel that the media did an adequate job of coverage the events and decisions leading up to the war in Iraq? Why or why not? |
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4. The White House Press Secretary serves an important role as the primary spo-kesperson for the presidential administration and a key point of contact for the press corps and news media regarding the daily activities and interpersonal interactions of the President. In this role, the White House Press Secretary frequently must balance the need for accurate reporting to the press corps with discretion regarding certain policy decisions or political stances of the administration.
The Onion News Network is a daily web video broadcast created by the news satire publication The Onion, and features video segments that parody 24-hour cable news network programming. Watch the below video and answer the questions that follow. Press Secretary’s ‘Zumtrel Flooby’ Answer May Be Attempt To Evade Question
The Onion News NetworkWhat aspects of a White House Press Conference are being satirized in the above vid-eo? Do you think that this is an effective parody of how a Presidential administration provides details to the media and press corps? Why or why not? |
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5. Media organizations have increased their use of technology to reach a wider audience and provide more accurate and engaging reporting of the news. The following two videos focus on this recent trend in high-tech media coverage. The first video from CNN profiles their new “hologram technology”, while the second video from The Daily Show with Jon Stewart parodies the recent use of technology by news organizations.
Watch the two videos below and answer the questions that follow. Hologram Secret Revealed
CNN
First aired November 6, 2008Hi-Tech News Coverage
The Daily Show with Jon Stewart
Comedy Central
First aired January 9, 2008In your opinion, do you feel that advanced technology leads to better or more accurate news reporting of American politics? Why or why not? What other examples of new technology have you witnessed while watching news coverage? |
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