Chapter 7: The Media
Chapter Review
The Media Industry and Government
Freedom of the press is essential for the preservation of liberty and democracy by publicizing abuses of power and carrying news of political events. The public depends on the news media to publicize and assess the claims of political candidates, to examine government policies and programs, and to reveal the wrongdoing on the part of government agencies and public officials. Since the Alien and Sedition Acts, politicians have tried to manipulate and/or intimidate the American media. The media are essential to political socialization. Even though thousands of media organizations exist across the United States, there is surprisingly little variety in what is reported among them. Americans rely less on network news and newspapers, and are turning to alternative sources of news such as the internet blogs.
I. How are the media regulated by the government? How does this regulation differ between the broadcast media and the print media?
- In the United States, the government neither owns nor controls the communication networks, but it does regulate the broadcast media.
- American radio and television are regulated by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), which was created in 1934 to grant licenses to radio and television stations.
- The Telecommunications Act of 1996 loosened ownership restrictions on broadcast media and encouraged competition among cable, phone, broadcast, and other telecommunication media. The law attempted to ban “indecent’ material on the internet, but that section was struck down by the courts.
- In recent years, the FCC has levied huge fines against the broadcast media for indecency. Most famous are the fines against Howard Stern for airing explicit material on his radio program and against CBS for airing Janet Jackson’s nipple during the halftime show.
- The debate over media ownership restrictions continued in 2003, when the FCC proposed even looser ownership restrictions. Since most Americans get their news from either print or broadcast media, ownership consolidation limits the media’s ability to present alternative viewpoints and, some argue, threatens our democracy.
- Other regulatory practices directed toward the broadcast media include the equal time rule, the right of rebuttal, and the fairness doctrine (now repealed).
- The print media are virtually free from government regulation.
II. How has the nationalization of the news media contributed to the nationalization of American politics?
- The national news media cover the same sets of events, present similar information, and emphasize similar issues and problems.
- The nationalization of the news media accelerated with the advent of radio networks in the 1920s and television networks in the 1950s.
- Nationalization of the news has contributed greatly to the nationalization of politics and of political perspectives in the United States.
- Although Americans get their news from “mainstream” media, there are some alternative news enclaves, aimed at primarily blacks or conservatives.
- Internet media, blogs, and chat rooms offer a new and important source of alternative information for Americans.
News Coverage
I. How are media content, news coverage, and bias affected by the producers, subjects, and consumers of the news?
- Publishers, journalists, and producers affect the content of the news through their discretion or freedom to interpret stories and influence how the stories are presented to the public.
- The source of the news can also influence the content of the news by putting a spin on the story. Information leaks and press releases are used by news subjects to convey only specific information.
- Consumers influence the content of the news by deciding what types of stories will hold their attention; given the importance of advertising in the profitability of the media, the media are driven to capture as many viewers, listeners, and readers as possible.
- Protesters may influence news coverage, but this influence may be diminished as a result of media interpretation in favor of upscale consumers.
Media Power in American Politics
I. How do the media shape public perceptions of events, issues, and institutions?
- The media may shape public perceptions of events, issues, and institutions through the angles and images that are presented.
- Vietnam, the Civil Rights movement, and Watergate are political events that were shaped by media coverage.
- Agenda setting—The media have the power to set the agenda for political discussion.
- Framing—The media have the power to decide how events and the actions of individuals are interpreted.
- Media coverage also affects how the public evaluates political leaders or candidates, helping to determine if a candidate would be a viable contender.
- In campaigns, the media focuses less on substance and more on who’s ahead in the “horserace.”
- Furthermore, the media often focuses on war and sensational stories. The U.S. media’s overwhelmingly war-centered international coverage gives Americans the perspective that the world is a dangerous place.
- The relationship between the media and the government has become more adversarial during the last three decades. After giving President Bush an unusual string of positive coverage after 9/11, the American media began to criticize the President after the Iraq War turned sour.
Thinking Critically about Media Power and Democracy
I. Are the media too powerful and thus in need of restriction or are free media necessary for democracy?
- Strong media are essential for a stable and successful democracy.
- Without strong, active, and aggressive media citizens would be hard-pressed to acquire the information needed to form the knowledge necessary to effectively participate in American politics.
- However, the media in the United States no longer seeks a national audience and has become more partisan. Increasing ideological polarization in this country has encouraged the proliferation of news sources seeking to fill an ideological niche audience.
- The “New Media” utilizes contemporary technology and can empower ordinary citizens and open new avenues for popular political participation.