526-534 CH19S1-860053 12/3/04 6:06 AM Page 526 I Heard It on the News We depend on mass media for news, entertainment, and even information about the products we buy. This chap- ter will explain the power and influence of the mass media as they relate to individuals, to interest groups, and to the government. To find out more about how the media influence your decision making, view the Democracy in Action Chapter 19 video lesson: The Mass Media ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ GOVERNMENT Chapter Overview Visit the United States Government: Democracy in Action Web site at gov.glencoe.com and click on Chapter 19—Overview to preview chapter information. 526 526-534 CH19S1-860053 12/3/04 6:06 AM Page 527 Section 11 How Media Impact Government Reader’s Guide he mass media include all the means for communicating information to the gen- Key Terms eral public. Traditionally there have been two types of mass media: print media mass media, news release, news briefing, leak, Tsuch as daily newspapers and popular magazines, media event, front-runner, spot advertising and the broadcast media of radio and television. Find Out The Internet has recently emerged as a powerful ■ What are the major forms of print and new interactive media for transmitting words, broadcast media? sounds, and images. ■ What is news? What is the major purpose of Supreme Court justice Lewis F. Powell news reporting? explained the vital contribution of media to a Understanding Concepts democratic society: Political Processes Television has become a very An informed public depends upon accu- important part of modern politics, but not without consequences. How has television’s role weak- “rate and effective reporting by the news ened the traditional role played by political parties? media. No individual can obtain for himself the information needed for the intelligent discharge of his political respon- sibilities. For most citizens the prospect of personal familiarity with newsworthy events is hopelessly unrealistic. In seeking Talk Show Power out the news the press therefore acts as an , FEBRUARY 8, 1993 agent of the public at large. It is the means BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS by which the people receive that free flow man on a CNN of information and ideas essential to Atalk show states intelligent self-government. that cellular phones —Lewis ”F. Powell, 1974 cause cancer. The gov- ernment announces a The relationship between the media and U.S. study of the issue, government officials, however, is complex. They the stock of cell- while C-SPAN logo need to work together, but their jobs often place phone maker Motoro- them in adversarial positions. Politicians want to la drops 20 percent. At host, 2,000 Bostonians use the mass media to help them reach their urging of a local radio the events illustrate the goals, such as convincing the public that their gather to protest taxes. These power—of TV and radio policies are worthwhile and getting reelected. growing popularity—and Politicians also want the media to pass on their audiences call in their opinions, gov- talk shows. As that audi- are listening. They know messages just as the politicians present them. ernment officials amazing 98 tend to be voters. For example, an ences in 1992. “It’s a po- of C-SPAN viewers voted percent pollster Harrison The President and the Media litical early-warning sign,” says radar in Greenland.” The president and the mass media, espe- Hickman of the shows, “like cially television, have a mutually benefi- cial relationship. As one of the most powerful President Clinton leaves a press conference. ▲ CHAPTER 19: THE MASS MEDIA 527 526-534 CH19S1-860053 12/3/04 6:07 AM Page 528 great attention to their television image and their use of that medium. In 1970 Senator J. William Fulbright of Arkansas told Congress: Television has done as much to expand “the powers of the President as would a constitutional amendment formally abol- ishing the co-equality of the three branches of government. —J.” William Fulbright, 1970 The White House staff media advisers try to manage relations with the mass media by controlling the daily flow of information about the president. To do so, they use news releases and briefings, press conferences, Turning the Tables background stories, leaks, and media events. Political Processes Bill Clinton and Al Gore have News Releases and Briefings A gov- fun with the media as the real television crew looks ernment news release is a ready-made story on. How valuable is a presidential media event? prepared by officials for members of the press. It can be printed or broadcast word for word or government officials in the world, the president is a used as background information. A news re- great source of news. Almost 80 percent of all U.S. tele- lease usually has a dateline that states the earliest vision coverage of government officials focuses on the time it can be published. president. The mass media, in turn, offer presidents the During a news briefing, a government official best way to “sell” their ideas and policies to the public. makes an announcement or explains a policy, de- Franklin D. Roosevelt was the first president to cision, or action. Briefings give reporters the master the broadcast media. Broadcast television chance to ask officials about news releases. The did not exist at the time of his presidency, and most president’s press secretary meets daily with the newspaper owners did not support him. Therefore, press to answer questions and provide information FDR presented his ideas directly to the people with on the president’s activities. “fireside chats”over the radio. FDR had an excellent speaking voice. Journalist David Halberstam later Press Conferences A press conference in- described the impact of an FDR fireside chat: volves the news media’s questioning of a high-level government official. Presidents have held press He was the first great American radio voice. conferences since the days of Theodore Roosevelt. “For most Americans of this generation, their Over the years most presidential press confer- first memory of politics would be of sitting ences have been carefully planned events. In by a radio and hearing that voice, strong, preparation for a press conference, the president confident, totally at ease....Most Americans often studies briefing books that identify potential in the previous 160 years had never even questions. In addition, the White House may limit seen a President; now almost all of them questions to certain topics, and aides may have were hearing him, in their own homes. It friendly reporters ask specific questions they want was . electrifying. the president to have the chance to address. —David Halberstam, 1980 ” Other Means of Sharing Information Some- The era of television politics really began with the times the president or another top official, such as the 1960 presidential debate between Nixon and secretary of state, will give reporters important pieces Kennedy. All presidents since that time have paid of information called backgrounders. Reporters can 528 CHAPTER 19: THE MASS MEDIA 526-534 CH19S1-860053 12/3/04 6:07 AM Page 529 use the information in a story, but they cannot reveal to reinforce a politician’s position on some issue. their source. Reporters will make this kind of infor- A president who takes a strong stand against mation public by saying, “Government sources pollution, for example, makes a stronger state- said....”or “A senior White House official said....” ment by standing in front of a state-of-the-art, Backgrounders give government officials the administration-supported manufacturing plant opportunity to test new ideas or to send unofficial than by remaining in the Oval Office. messages to other policy makers or even foreign governments. The media can, in this manner, make information public without making it official. Media and When officials give the media information Presidential Campaigns totally off the record, reporters cannot print or broadcast the information. Off-the-record meet- Television impacts presidential campaigns. ings can still be useful, however. Officials often The first televised political advertisements establish valuable connections with newspapers appeared in the 1952 presidential campaign be- in this way, and journalists may receive some tips tween Dwight Eisenhower and Adlai Stevenson. to assist them with their news coverage. Since then, television has greatly influenced who Another way top officials try to influence the flow runs for office, how candidates are nominated, of information to the press is through a leak, or the how election campaigns are conducted, and how release of secret information by anonymous govern- political parties fit into the election process. ment officials to the media. These officials may be seeking public support for a policy that others in the Identifying Candidates Television has influ- government do not like. Sometimes low-level officials enced the types of candidates who run for office in may leak information to expose corruption or to get several ways. First, candidates for major offices top officials to pay attention to a problem. must be telegenic—that is, they must project a pleasing appearance and performance on camera. Media Events Modern presidents often stage a John F. Kennedy and Ronald Reagan were good media event, a visually interesting event designed examples of candidates for the television age. They Convention Coverage Civic Responsibility The major political parties carefully craft exciting convention programs to attract the media and the American public’s attention. Here reporter Peter Jennings talks with Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton (D-NY) at the Democratic National Conven- tion in 2004. Why does each citizen have a responsibility to look beyond the images of candidates presented by the media? CHAPTER 19: THE MASS MEDIA 529 526-534 CH19S1-860053 12/3/04 6:07 AM Page 530 hen LeAlan Jones and a 5-year-old boy, out of a 14-story Lloyd Newman were window when he refused to Making a Difference Wboth 13 years old, a steal candy for them.