Impact of the Media

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Impact of the Media

• Objective 4.03

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Types of Mass Media

• Printnewspaper, magazines, newsletters, and
  books
• Electronicradio, TV, Internet

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Public Agenda

• Media creates the public agendaissues that are
  the most significant
• Major issues today
• Abortion, War, Gun Control, Drugs, Gay Rights,
  Health Care, Immigration, etc.

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Facts about Media Influence

• 98 of homes have televisions
• 70 of adults read newspapers
• Media acts as a watchdogwilling to expose
  corruption
• Protected by 1st Amendment

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Polls

• Surveys taken to measure public opinion
• Effectcan influence your opinion because human
  nature tells you to follow the norm

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• Pros
• Allows politicians to see what is important to
  voters and better serve their community

• Cons
• Can influence public
• Can lead officials to follow public agenda
  instead of their own opinion
• Can be wrong

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Questions to consider

• Should the media be allowed to deliver any news
  desired, even if it puts national security at
  risk?
• Do you believe the media has a strong influence
  over children and teens?
• Violence, drugs, weight, etc.

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Limitations

• Slandercannot speak lies
• Libelcannot print lies
• Biasnot supposed to show favor for one group or
  another

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Promoting Change through Political Action

• Objective 4.04

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1--Vote

• Government based on popular sovereignty
• Only way to make a difference in officials is to
  vote

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2--Volunteering

• Offering services to others without payment
• Gives chance to help others and contribute to
  your community

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3--Protesting

• Organizing a group in reaction to a situation or
  event to try to influence others and/or make a
  difference

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4--Petitioning

• Submit a formal request for change
• Usually a collection of signatures

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5--Surveys

• Gathering of public opinion that results can be
  used to promote change
• Usually conducted on random samples of population

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6Run for Office

• Obtaining a leadership role on the local, state,
  or federal level can bring about change
  throughout the country

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People That Demonstrate

• Activiststhose who try to make or stop change
  through protesting, writing letters, shopping
  ethically, etc.
• Lobbyistsrepresentative of an interest group
  that tries to influence the decisions of lawmakers