2.10 Media and Impact

Civics S.S.7.C.2.10

"Make An Impact!"

Examine the impact of media, individuals, and interest groups on monitoring and influencing government.

LET'S BEGIIN!

INDIVIDUALS

Poll

How can individuals participate in government?

• VOTE

• RUN FOR OFFICE

• Join a civic group

• Attend civic meetings

• Petition the government

Multiple Choice

Sarah felt very strongly about an issue in the news. She wrote to her representative in Congress and expressed her feelings on the issue. Then she wrote a short editorial for the local newspaper and sent it off. Which statement describes Sarah's activities?

• She was acting as a lobbyist.

• She was forming her own political party.

• She was starting her own special interest group.

• She was participating directly in government.

Multiple Choice

Which word means having an effect or impact on the actions, behavior, opinions, etc., of another or others

• monitor

• requirement

• influence

• evaluate

NEXT!

INTEREST GROUPS

Poll

POLL: Do you think the issue of gun rights vs. gun control is one that affects your life?

• Yes, this issue matters a lot to me.

• Sort of, now that you mention it.

• I'm not sure I really understand the debate over guns.

• I don't think about it at all.

Multiple Choice

a person who participates in activities in order to influence government officials

• interest group

• lobbyist

• candidate

• elector

Multiple Choice

participating in activities in order to influence government officials

• lobbying

• monitor

• influence

• political official

Open Ended

Short answer: What is a cause that you feel very strongly about and why?

NEXT!

POLITICAL ACTION COMMITTEES

Multiple Choice

having an effect or impact on the actions, behavior, opinions, etc., of another or others

• influence

• lobbying

• media

• monitor

Multiple Choice

an independent political organization that seeks to promote the cause of a particular interest group, usually through raising money and campaigning to elect candidates who support the group's views

• political action committee (PAC)

• influence

• interest group

• petitioning the government

NEXT!

THE INFLUENCE OF MEDIA

Multiple Choice

plural form of the word “medium,” refers to various means of communication. For example, television, radio, newspapers and the Internet (web) are different types of media. The term can also be used to describe news organizations as a whole group.

• monitor

• qualification

• requirement

• media

Multiple Choice

refers to various means of communication

• media

• influence

• monitor

• petitioning the government

Multiple Choice

a person or group who acts as a protector or guardian

• watchdog

• impact

• interest group

• media

Multiple Choice

to watch, keep track of, or check usually for a special purpose

• monitor

• impact

• lobbying

• public agenda

LET'S RECAP!

We've covered a lot of information. Let's summarize what we have covered and what matters most for individual civic participation

D is the correct answer!

Gathering signatures for a petition

is something any individual citizen can actively do to directly influence the government.

The other answers do not directly influence the government.

Look at the question again!

Multiple Choice

Based on the government system in the United States, which individual activity is used to directly influence legislative decisions?

• watching political debates on television

• discussing political issues at work

• collecting opinions for a yearbook

• gathering signatures for a petition

WANT MORE PRACTICE?

HERE'S 10 QUESTIONS ON WHAT WE HAVE COVERED

Multiple Choice

The poster was placed in public buildings, businesses and schools by a civil rights group. What is a long term policy goal of the interest group?

• electing candidates

• regulating elections

• improving citizens’ lives

• influencing political appointments

Multiple Choice

Which best describes the main objective of a lobbyist?

• to raise campaign funds for political parties

• to influence public decision-making for the common good

• to influence state legislators or members of Congress on issues

• to advise political candidates on how to manage their political campaigns

Multiple Choice

The table below describes ratings for news organizations. According to the table, what impact has media had on government?

• Government is less likely to regulate the press.

• Government is less likely to respond to public concerns.

• Government is more likely to regulate the press.

• Government is more likely to respond to public concerns.

Multiple Choice

Sarah felt very strongly about an issue in the news. She wrote to her representative in Congress and expressed her feelings on the issue. Then she wrote a short editorial for the local newspaper and sent it off. Which statement describes Sarah's activities?

• She was acting as a lobbyist.

• She was forming her own political party.

• She was starting her own special interest group.

• She was participating directly in government.

Multiple Choice

Which title completes the diagram?

• How interest groups decide an issue

• How interest groups engage in electioneering

• How interest groups use publicity to win support

• How interest groups lobby state and federal legislators

Multiple Choice

Based on the government system in the United States, which individual activity is used to directly influence legislative decisions?

• watching political debates on television

• discussing political issues at work

• collecting opinions for the yearbook

• gathering signatures for a petition

Multiple Choice

Which of the following is NOT one of the ways in which the media affect politics?

• by providing information on both parties

• by contributing to election campaign funds

• by focusing public attention on particular issues

• by providing in-depth coverage of national issues

Multiple Choice

What is an important difference between interest groups and political parties?

• Interest groups have more members than political parties.

• Interest groups have platforms addressing all issues of public concern.

• Interest groups are organized to elect candidates to political office.

• Interest groups attempt to influence government directly on particular issues.

Multiple Choice

Who do lobbyists represent in their attempts to influence government?

• military officers

• elected officials

• interest groups

• circuit judges