The Media

Chapter 6 describes the

origin and growth of the media, assess their

objectivity, and examine their influence on

politics.

People, Government and Communication.

Communication is the process of transmitting information from one individual or group to another.

Mass communications is the process by which information is transmitted to large, heterogeneous, widely dispersed audiences.

Mass Media

Refers to the means for communicating to these audiences. The mass Media are divided into two types:

•Print Media•Broadcast media:

Print media:communicate information through the publication of words and pictures on Paper.

Broadcast media:communicate information electronically, through sounds and images.

Ex: Daily news papers and popular Magazines

Ex: Radio and Television. Internet ?

In Democratic governments, information must flow freely in both directions; a democratic government can respond to public opinion only if its citizens can make their opinions known.

The media are the only mechanisms that specialize in communication, the five most prominent forms being:

News PapersMagazinesRadio TelevisionInternet

Political content can also be transmitted through other mass media, like music recordings and movie productions.

The Development of the Mass Media in the United States.

Our focus here is on mass media in the news industry

On print Broadcast journal

Newspapers MagazinesRadioTelevisionThe Internet

Newspapers

Thirty-Seven Newspapers were being published during the Revolutionary War in 1775. Most were used to just support political parties.

During the 1830’s, newspapers started circulating through larger areas moving towards independent ownership.

In 1880, 971 daily newspapers and 8,633 weekly newspapers were being published.

By 2004 barely any towns had more than one local paper.

The daily paper with the largest circulation in 2007 was USA Today.

The Wall Street

Magazines

Radio

Television

Newspapers

Private Ownership of the Media

Government Regulation of the Media

Functions of the Mass Media for the Political System

Evaluating the Media in Government

Summary