The Mass Media

The Mass Media

By Cedric Gillette

The Influence of the Media

There are two types of mass media sources. Print media include newspapers, magazines, newsletters, and books. Radio, television, and the Internet are examples of electronic media.

In using media information, you must remember an important fact. Most American media outlets are private businesses. They are run to make a profit. For that reason, media managers often decide what to publish based on what will attract the most viewers, listeners, or readers. The larger the audience, the more the media can charge advertisers. This fact shapes what the media cover.

Subject | Subject

Multiple Choice

Electronic media include the Internet and _____________.

• newspapers

• books

• television

• magazines

Multiple Choice

Media outlets try to attract large audiences because the media with the most viewers, listeners, and readers can _______________

• hire fewer news reporters

• set the public agenda

• broadcast the news more efficiently

• charge advertisers more money

Covering Candidates and Officials

Officials try to use the media to their advantage. They may leak, or secretly pass on, information to reporters. They may do this to test the public’s response to a proposal before they openly acknowledge, or admit, that they are considering it. If the public reacts well, officials might act on the idea. If the public reacts negatively, officials can drop it. Politicians also use leaks to shape public opinion on an issue, or to gain favor with a reporter.

Subject | Subject

Multiple Choice

Information that a politician gives to the media to test the public's response to a proposal is called a ________________.

• public agenda

• watchdog

• libel

• leak

Watchdog Role

The mass media also play a crucial "watchdog" role. That means they keep a close eye on government activities. Journalists write stories that expose waste and corruption at all levels of government. These kinds of stories attract a large audience. Throughout our history, the media have played this role. This has served the interests of both the media and the public by exposing wrongdoing by public officials.

Subject | Subject

Multiple Choice

Members of the media serve the public when they expose wrongdoing in government.

• TRUE

• FALSE

Media and National Security

Americans need to stay informed. At the same time, the government must keep some secrets for national security reasons. The government can classify, or label, some information as secret. That information is then off-limits to reporters.

​

The government can use other methods to try to shape the news. During the first part of the war in Iraq, some journalists accompanied American troops going into battle. They reported on battles and on daily life of the troops. Some critics said that this practice allowed the government to control news reporting.

​

Subject | Subject

Multiple Choice

Classified information is ________________.

• available to all reporters

• available to some reporters

• off-limits to all reporters

• off-limits to some reporters

Protecting the Press

The Framers showed how highly they valued a free press by protecting the press from government interference. The First Amendment to the U.S. Constitution says that Congress cannot pass any law that would limit the freedom of the press. When it was written, the amendment applied to print media, which were the only forms in existence. Now, though, this protection extends to radio, TV, and the Internet as well.

Subject | Subject

Multiple Choice

A news story found on the Internet cannot be censored because it has First Amendment protection.

• TRUE

• FALSE

Freedom Within Limits

Freedom of the press is not unlimited, though. As you have read, the government can keep some information secret. Also, no one is free to publish false information that will harm another person’s reputation. Doing so is called libel. Anyone who believes a written story has harmed him or her may sue the publisher for libel. Government officials rarely win libel lawsuits, however. In New York Times Co. v. Sullivan (1964), the Supreme Court ruled in a libel case. It said that public officials must prove actual malice, or evil intent, to win a libel suit. The official must prove that the publisher either knew the material was false or showed a reckless disregard for the truth.

Subject | Subject

Multiple Choice

It is more difficult for a public official to win a libel lawsuit than for a private citizen.

• TRUE

• FALSE

Prior Restraint

Because of the First Amendment, the media are free from prior restraint. Prior restraint refers to government censorship of material before it is published. Generally, the government cannot censor the media that way. Reporters and editors are free to decide what they will say, even if it is unpopular. In fact, sometimes the media publish information that embarrasses the government or a politician.

Subject | Subject

Some text here about the topic of discussion

Multiple Choice

The president may forbid a newspaper from printing information that would be embarrassing to him or her.

• TRUE

• FALSE

Shield Laws

The media also have some other protections. Gathering news may depend on getting facts from people who do not want to have their names made public. The press and the government have fought many battles over reporters’ right to keep their sources secret. Most states have shield laws that protect reporters from having to reveal their sources.

Subject | Subject

Multiple Choice

Reporters may keep their sources secret if ____________________.

• their state has media shield laws

• they can prove no malice

• the story they printed is true

• the sources are public officials

Regulating the Media

The federal government does have ways to regulate the broadcast media. The airwaves available for radio and TV broadcasting are limited. The government decides who can use them. In order to receive a license that allows them to broadcast, companies must meet certain standards. For example, a portion of their programming must be devoted to covering public affairs, usually through news programs. In addition, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) oversees broadcasters. The FCC is a regulatory, or managing, agency. It cannot censor broadcasts, but it can punish stations that break its rules. Fines for breaking these rules can run to several thousand dollars, so stations are careful about what people say and do on the air. For example, stations edit out words that break FCC rules.

Subject | Subject

Multiple Choice

The FCC is an agency that regulates _______________.

• all print media

• newspapers only

• radio only

• broadcast media

Multiple Choice

Which type of medium is most used by people of all age groups?

• Television

• Radio

• Newspaper

• Internet