Topic 5.12 The Media AP Government

Carey LaManna

29 Oct 201904:03

Summary

TLDRThe video discusses the evolving role of media in political participation. It traces how news consumption has shifted from traditional outlets like newspapers and radio to cable TV, the internet, and now social media. The media's role in connecting people to government is explored, with a focus on two key functions: 'horserace journalism,' which emphasizes polling over substantive issues, and 'watchdog journalism,' where investigative reporting exposes government wrongdoing. The potential effects of media coverage on elections, including the 'bandwagon effect,' are also examined.

Takeaways

📰 Traditional media includes newspapers, radio, and network TV, which were the primary news sources in earlier times.
📺 In the 1980s, cable TV became a new way for people to consume news, followed by the Internet and blogs in the 1990s and early 2000s.
🌐 Today, many people get their news from social media platforms like Twitter and Facebook, even though these are not traditional news outlets.
🗞️ The media connects people to the government by reporting on important issues, influencing public perception through the way stories are portrayed.
📊 One key role of the media is 'horserace journalism,' which focuses on public opinion polls and political candidate approval ratings rather than substantive issues.
🏇 Horserace journalism can leave the public less informed about political platforms, focusing more on the rise and fall of poll numbers like a competition.
📉 This type of coverage can contribute to the 'bandwagon effect,' where people vote for candidates leading in the polls, ignoring those trailing behind.
🕵️ Another significant role of the media is being a 'watchdog,' through investigative journalism, uncovering political scandals, corruption, and wrongdoing.
🔍 Watchdog journalism helps ensure government transparency by exposing illegal actions and administrative failures.
🎬 The video is part of a larger series on government and media, with one more video left in the unit, signaling the conclusion of new government content in the course.

Q & A

What is the main idea of the video?
-The main idea of the video is to explore how media influences political participation, with a focus on changes in news consumption over time and the roles media play, such as horserace journalism and watchdog journalism.
How has the way people get news changed over time?
-News consumption has evolved from traditional media like newspapers, radio, and network television, to cable TV in the 1980s, the internet and blogs in the 1990s and 2000s, and now to social media platforms like Twitter and Facebook.
What are the two key roles of the media discussed in the video?
-The two key roles are horserace journalism, where media focuses on polling and public opinion instead of substantive issues, and watchdog journalism, where media investigates and exposes government wrongdoing or corruption.
What is horserace journalism, and what are its potential negative effects?
-Horserace journalism is the tendency to focus on polling and election standings rather than issues. Its negative effects include leaving the public less informed about political platforms and encouraging a bandwagon effect where voters support candidates based on polling trends rather than their policies.
What is the bandwagon effect, and how can it impact elections?
-The bandwagon effect occurs when voters support candidates who are leading in polls, often disregarding other candidates. This can skew election outcomes by influencing public opinion based on perceived popularity rather than informed decisions.
Why might horserace journalism make the public less informed?
-Horserace journalism emphasizes poll numbers and the competitive aspect of elections, diverting attention from substantive issues and candidate platforms, leading to a less informed electorate.
What is watchdog journalism?
-Watchdog journalism is investigative reporting that seeks to uncover wrongdoing, corruption, or incompetence in government, ensuring that officials and agencies are held accountable to the public.
Why is the role of watchdog journalism important?
-Watchdog journalism is important because it helps to expose illegal actions or failures in government, protecting the public interest and ensuring transparency and accountability in governance.
How does social media impact the way people get news today?
-Social media platforms like Twitter and Facebook, though not traditional news outlets, have become major sources of information for many people, often providing a quick, accessible way to consume news but with the risk of misinformation.
What will be covered in the final video mentioned at the end of the transcript?
-The final video in the series will wrap up the topic of news media and serve as the last video of new government content for the course.

Outlines

00:00

📺 Introduction to Media Influence on Political Participation

The video opens by discussing the influence of media on political participation, focusing on how news stories, coverage, and analysis shape public opinion. It mentions the evolution of news sources from traditional media, such as newspapers, radio, and television, to modern platforms like blogs and social media, which have become major sources of information. The shift in how people consume news has had a significant impact on how they engage with politics.

📰 Media's Role in Connecting People to Government

The video highlights the role of media in keeping citizens informed about governmental actions by choosing which stories to cover and how to frame them. The media can influence public perception by emphasizing certain issues over others or portraying events in a particular light. This power allows the media to shape how people view political issues, potentially affecting their engagement with the political process.

🐎 Horserace Journalism and Its Negative Impact

The video introduces the concept of horserace journalism, which refers to the media’s tendency to focus on polling and public opinion data rather than the policies and platforms of political candidates. This style of reporting can leave the public less informed, as it prioritizes who is leading in polls over substantive political issues. The focus on polling can also contribute to the bandwagon effect, where voters may choose candidates simply because they are leading, rather than based on their positions.

🎠 The Bandwagon Effect in Elections

Expanding on the concept of horserace journalism, the video discusses the bandwagon effect, where voters are influenced by polling results to support the perceived frontrunner. This phenomenon can skew election outcomes, as people may jump on or off the 'bandwagon' depending on who is leading or falling behind in the polls. It suggests that polls may predict election results not by reflecting public opinion, but by shaping it.

🕵️ Media's Watchdog Role: Investigative Journalism

The media's role as a watchdog is discussed, focusing on investigative journalism that uncovers government misconduct, corruption, and scandals. This kind of reporting holds authorities accountable by exposing wrongdoing and ensuring that government operations are conducted properly. Investigative journalism plays a critical role in maintaining transparency and public trust in government.

🎬 Wrapping Up the Media Unit

The video concludes by summarizing the discussion of media's influence on politics and the roles of horserace journalism and investigative reporting. The presenter notes that one final video remains in this unit, marking the end of the course’s content on government and media. Viewers are encouraged to stay tuned for the final video.

Mindmap

Keywords

💡Political Participation

Political participation refers to the ways in which individuals engage with political processes, such as voting, attending rallies, or engaging in discussions. In the video, it's discussed how media coverage can influence or affect the way people participate politically, as the information they receive shapes their understanding of candidates and issues.

💡Media Coverage

Media coverage is the reporting and dissemination of news and information through various channels such as newspapers, television, and social media. The video emphasizes that how stories are reported, including the focus on certain issues or candidates, can greatly influence public perception and political outcomes.

💡Traditional News Media

Traditional news media includes newspapers, radio, and television networks, which were the primary sources of news in earlier times. The video highlights the evolution of news media from these traditional sources to more modern platforms, illustrating how people's access to news has changed over time.

💡Social Media

Social media refers to platforms like Twitter and Facebook, where users interact and share information. The video points out that many people today get their news from social media, which isn't traditionally considered a news outlet, showing the shift in how news is consumed in the modern age.

💡Horserace Journalism

Horserace journalism is a media practice where the focus is on polling numbers and competition between political candidates rather than substantive issues. The video explains how this form of reporting can lead to a less informed public, as the media treats elections like a competition rather than a platform for discussing important policies.

💡Public Opinion Polls

Public opinion polls measure the public's views on political candidates or issues at a given time. The video discusses how media outlets often report on these polls, sometimes at the expense of deeper political analysis, which can affect how the public perceives and engages with candidates.

💡Bandwagon Effect

The bandwagon effect is a psychological phenomenon where people support a candidate or cause simply because it appears to be popular. In the video, it's mentioned that extensive focus on polling can lead to this effect, as voters may align with the perceived 'winning' candidate rather than making independent, informed choices.

💡Investigative Journalism

Investigative journalism involves in-depth reporting to uncover corruption, scandals, or wrongdoing, especially within the government. The video highlights this role of the media as a watchdog, ensuring accountability by exposing illegal actions or failures in government agencies.

💡Watchdog Role

The watchdog role refers to the media's function of monitoring and investigating the government and other institutions to ensure they act in the public's interest. The video explains how investigative journalism serves this purpose by revealing corruption or misconduct.

💡News Media

News media refers to the organizations and platforms that report on current events and political happenings. In the video, it is used broadly to discuss both traditional and modern forms of media, as well as their influence on public awareness and political engagement.

Highlights

Media coverage can influence political participation through how stories are reported and analyzed.

Traditional news media includes newspapers, radio, and network television, which were the primary sources of news in the past.

The 1980s introduced cable TV, followed by blogs and internet media in the 1990s and early 2000s.

Today, a significant number of people get their news from social media platforms like Twitter and Facebook.

The media plays an important role in connecting people to the government by selecting what to report on.

Media coverage can present issues in a positive or negative light, affecting public perception.

The length and intensity of media coverage can make certain issues seem more important than others.

Horserace journalism focuses on polling data, approval ratings, and candidate standings, often at the expense of substantive political issues.

The emphasis on polls can lead to a less informed public since it shifts focus away from candidate platforms and policy positions.

Horserace journalism can lead to the 'bandwagon effect,' where voters support candidates leading in the polls, regardless of policies.

Polling can influence election outcomes by encouraging voters to back perceived winning candidates and abandoning underperforming ones.

The media also serves as a 'watchdog,' with investigative journalists uncovering political scandals, corruption, and wrongdoing.

Investigative journalism helps ensure government agencies and officials are held accountable for their actions.

Investigative reporting uncovers illegal actions, inefficiencies, or corruption in political administrations or agencies.

The video series on media coverage is nearing its conclusion, with one more video to complete the course content.