Grade 7 Chapter 11: The Mass Media PDF

Guide to Reading Big Idea The Mass Media In a democratic society, various forces shape people’s ideas. Real World Civics If you see it on the Content Vocabulary...

Guide to Reading Big Idea The Mass Media In a democratic society, various forces shape people’s ideas. Real World Civics If you see it on the Content Vocabulary news, or read it in the newspaper, it must be true—right? print media (p. 327) News media cameras track politicians’ every move. But electronic media (p. 327) competition for the best photos and newest news is public agenda (p. 327) leak (p. 328) tremendous. While it is the job of the media to report the prior restraint (p. 329) facts, there are many ways to see the facts. The media can libel (p. 330) act as a “watchdog,” but they also can “spin” the news to malice (p. 330) present a specific point of view. Remembering that those in Academic Vocabulary the media have their own viewpoints of government and acknowledge (p. 328) politics can help citizens better understand the messages benefit (p. 328) regulatory (p. 330) the media are sending. Reading Strategy Photographers and reporters swarm presidential candidates Organizing As you read, note the impact of each of the types of media and list them on a chart like the one below. Most Powerful Media 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. NORTH CAROLINA STANDARDS Civics and Economics 4.03 Analyze information on political issues and candidates seeking political office. 5.06 Analyze roles of individual citizens, politi- cal parties, the media, and other interest groups in public policy decisions, dispute resolution, and government action. 326 Jim Bourg/Reuters  You Are There Television reporting of news events, such as the damage done by Hurricane Katrina in 2005, takes people right to the event. Predicting How might television affect people’s thoughts about how serious an event is? the Internet. In the United States, most media The Media’s Impact outlets are private businesses, run to make a profit. For that reason, media managers often Main Idea The nation’s media are an important decide what news to run based on what will influence on politics and government and also help attract the most viewers, listeners, or readers. set the public agenda. The larger the audience, the more money the Civics & You Where do you get your news? How media can charge for advertising. reliable is this source? Read to find out how Americans depend on the media for information. Public Agenda The government must deal with many problems and issues. The ones that receive In the United States the mass media play the most time, money, and effort from gov- an important role in influencing politics and ernment leaders make up what is often called government. They also form a link between the public agenda. the people and elected officials. The media have great influence on which problems governments consider important. When the media publicize a problem, such Types of Media as immigration, white-collar crime, or pol- Newspapers, magazines, newsletters, and lution, people begin to worry about it and books are examples of Print media. The to expect that government officials will deal electronic media are radio, television, and with the problem. Chapter 11 327 Alex Brandon/AP Images  to acknowledge, or admit, that the govern- ment is considering it. If the public reacts favorably, the government might officially move ahead with the idea. If the public reaction is negative, they can quietly drop it. Politicians also use leaks to change public opinion on an issue, or to gain favor with a reporter. Leaking information is part of politics. Many journalists go along with the practice because they benefit, or profit, from being Watchdogs The media track and report bad behavior able to report “inside” information. When and corruption by politicians. Explaining What they can get hot news from politicians and positive things about politicians do the media “scoop” their rivals—break a story first—they report? become more successful as journalists. Coverage of Candidates Watchdog Role Today’s modern media, especially televi- The mass media also play an important sion, make it possible for some people to “watchdog” role over government activities. run for office who might never have done Journalists are eager to expose government so in an earlier time. Previously, candidates waste or corruption. They know that stories were usually experienced politicians who about government misconduct will attract a had spent many years working their way up large audience. Throughout American his- through their political parties. Today sports, tory the media have served both their own media, and Hollywood celebrities with little interests and the public interest by exposing or no political experience can quickly move misconduct in government. into major political positions, based on the fame they earned in other fields. Media and National Security A tension exists between the American Media and Elected Officials citizens’ need for information and the need The relationship between journalists and for the government to keep secrets to protect politicians is complicated. They need one national security. The government can con- another, yet they often clash. One presidential trol information the media reports by classi- assistant explained it this way: “Politicians fying information as secret and limiting press live—and sometimes die—by the press. The coverage of military actions. In the war in press lives by politicians.” Iraq, “embedded,” or implanted, journalists Politicians may also secretly pass on, or went with American troops into battle. They leak, information to friendly reporters about reported live on clashes with the enemy as proposed actions. Leaks allow them to test well as on the daily life of the troops. Most public reaction to a proposal without having journalists welcomed this opportunity. Some critics, however, felt the arrangement made it too easy for the government to control news reporting on the war. Student Web Activity Visit glencoe.com and complete the Chapter 11 Web Activity. Explaining Why would a government official leak information to the media? 328 Chapter 11 Bettmann/CORBIS  The First Amendment to the U.S. Consti- Media Safeguards tution states, in part, Main Idea Freedom of the press is protected by the U.S. Constitution, although some regulation is “Congress shall make no law... abridging the freedom... of the permitted. press. ” Civics & You Have you ever seen something on TV or heard something on the radio that you thought Today, “press” in this usage refers not only “went too far”? What do you think should be done to print media but to radio, television, and about it? Read to find out what the Constitution says the Internet as well. In the United States, and how courts have interpreted it. the First Amendment means that the media are free from prior restraint, or government censorship of material before it is published. Democracy requires a free flow of informa- Generally the government cannot tell the tion and ideas in order to thrive. In the United media what or what not to publish. This States the government plays an important role means that reporters and editors are free to in protecting the ability of the mass media decide what they will say, even if it is unpop- to operate freely. The Constitution extends ular or embarrassing to the government or to freedom of speech to the media. individual politicians. America’s Use of Mass Media See StudentWorksTM Plus or glencoe.com. 100 80 Percentage of Americans 60 40 20 0 Television Radio Newspaper Internet Media 18 to 24 years old 35 to 44 years old 55 to 64 years old 25 to 34 years old 45 to 54 years old 65 years old and older Sources: U.S Census Bureau; Statistical Abstract of the United States, 2006. Analyzing Graphs 1. Identifying Which form of media is the most used by all age groups? 2. Explaining What age group uses the Internet the least? Explain why. Chapter 11 329 Federal Communications Commission  Freedom Within Limits Freedom of the For the most part, however, reporters have press is not, however, unlimited. For exam- no more right to avoid presenting evidence ple, no one is free to publish false inform- than do other citizens. ation that will harm someone’s reputation. This action is called libel. Anyone who Regulating the Media believes a written story has damaged him The federal government possesses some or her may sue for libel. Unlike ordinary power to regulate the broadcast media. people, however, government officials rarely This is because the government decides win libel lawsuits. In New York Times Co. v. who gets access to the limited number of Sullivan (1964), the Supreme Court ruled that airwaves available for radio and television public officials must prove actual malice, broadcasting. One way the government reg- or evil intent—meaning that the publisher ulates broadcasting is through the Federal either knew that the material was false or Communications Commission (FCC). The showed a reckless disregard for the truth. FCC is a regulatory, or managing, commis- Protecting Sources Success in gathering sion of the federal bureaucracy. The FCC news may depend on getting information cannot censor broadcasts, but it can penalize from those who do not want their names stations that violate its rules. A well-known made public. The press and the United example is the fine for the broadcast of the States government have fought many bat- 2004 Super Bowl halftime show featuring tles over the media’s right to keep sources singer Janet Jackson. secret. Thirty-one states and the District of Columbia have media shield laws to protect Describing How does prior reporters from having to reveal their sources. restraint protect the media? Vocabulary Critical Thinking 6. Analyzing Visuals Examine the chart on page 329. What general 1. Write a short paragraph about 4. Analyzing Explain how the statements can you make about mass media using each of these media and public officials are those 18 to 24 years old? terms: print media, electronic dependent on one another. media, public agenda, leak, prior 5. Describe the roles restraint, libel, malice. Activity the media plays in influencing government and politics by 7. Interviewing Contact a local TV Main Ideas completing a graphic organizer or radio station. Ask them to like the one below. identify a recent broadcast that 2. Explaining How do the media drew criticism. Have the station set the public agenda? Roles of the describe its procedure for han- 3. Describing What are two ways Media watc dling such complaints. h do freedom of the press is limited? g Study CentralTM To review this section, go to glencoe.com. 330 Chapter 11