American Media Politics in Transition » (1st Edition)

Part of the McGraw-Hill Critical Topics in American Government series, American Media Politics in Transition blends coverage of the historical evolution of American political journalism with theories about its current practice and the emerging technological changes that have begun to bring media power back to the people. Its flexible, self-contained chapters feature discussion questions, suggestions for further readings, online resources, and a list of key terms and figures - all of which come together to make this an ideal supplement for any introductory American Government course, as well as courses on the media and communications.

Chapter 1 The Political Medium Shapes the Political Message
Oral Political Culture
Written Political Culture
Video Political Culture
Benjamin’s Hope, Postman’s Nightmare

Chapter 2 Theories of Media Influence
Functions of the Media
What Is Bias?
Is the Media Really Liberal?
Scholarly Models of Media Influence
The Social Conservative View
The Radical View: A Unified Capitalist Domination of Media
The Current Paradigm

Chapter 3 Media Matters: Measuring the Effects
Analyzing the Effects of Media on Consumers
What Media Studies Tell Us
Framing
Priming
Yes, Media Matters

Chapter 4 The History of American Journalism before Electronic Media
The Colonial Era: 1960–1770
Revolutionary Era Press: 1760–1789
The Partisan Press Era: 1789–1860
The Dawn of Mass Media: Sensationalism and Muckraking, 1860–1920
The Muckrakers: 1900–1920

Chapter 5 Journalism Goes Electronic . . . and Corporate
The Professional Era: 1920–1972
Radio: The Ignored Medium in Political News?
Watchdog Journalism: 1973–1991
The Rise of the New Journalism: Era within an Era
The Era of Infotainment: 1992–Present

Chapter 6 The Media and the Law
Exceptions to Freedom of Speech
Special Rules for Broadcast Media
The Media Go to Court: Privileges and Restrictions
Internet Media and the Law
The Federal Judiciary and the Media
Conclusion: Necessary Institutions in Conflict

Chapter 7 The Personalized, Image-based Media Presidency
The President’s Power and the Media
Challenges for the President
The White House Media Staff
Media Tactics for Good News: Polishing the Positive
Media Tactics for Bad News: Damage Control
Conclusion: The Image Presidency

Chapter 8 Institutions in Conflict: The Media and the Military
War Journalism Emerges: Sensationalism, Propaganda, and Courage
Culture Clash: Soldiers and Reporters
Patriotism and the Media: Does Journalism “Follow the Flag” or the Truth?
Media and Operational Security: Do Loose Reporter Lips Sink American Ships?
Video and the Horror of War: Too Painful to Show?
Government Tactics: Managing the Media in War
Case Study I: Did the Press Lose Vietnam?
Case Study II: The Persian Gulf War as Military Video Game
Case Study III: Iraq as Reality TV?
Conclusion: Changes and Trends

Chapter 9 Congress and the Media: Covering the Sausage Factory of Legislation
The Public Image of Congress
How Members of Congress Use the Media
Distorting the Legislative Process: How the Media Misses the Story
The Media as a Centrifugal Force in Congress: Weakening and Changing Leadership
Congress versus the Media
Congress on the Web: An Unfiltered Legislature?
Interest Groups and the Media: Talking to Congress through the Press
Conclusion: A Distortion Becoming Real?

Chapter 10: Mediated Elections: Campaigns and Modern Journalism
Presidential Campaigns
New Media: Talking to Letterman about the Law
Paid Media and Modern Political Journalism: Leveraging and Targeting
Polls and Exit Polls: Predicting the Vote or Altering It?
Conclusion: Reforms for Better Campaign Journalism

Chapter 11 The Internet and the Future of Media Politics
The Promise of the Internet
The Defects of the Internet for Media Politics
Conclusion: The Inevitable Internet