Role of Media in Elections
What is the media’s main role during elections?
Informing the public about candidates and issues
What are the three main types of media?
Print, Broadcast, Digital
What is “horse-race journalism”?
Focusing on who’s winning rather than issues
What is media bias?
Media bias = news coverage that is not neutral and can shape public opinion.
What does FCC stand for?
Federal Communications Commission
What term describes when the media decides which issues get the most attention?
Agenda-setting
Give one example of print media.
Newspapers, magazines, etc.
What’s an example of a press briefing vs. a press conference?
Briefing = short update by a spokesperson
Conference = longer Q&A with reporters
Name one example of confirmation bias in media consumption.
Watching only news sources that agree with your beliefs.
What does the FCC regulate?
Broadcast TV/radio content, licensing, etc.
What is a “sound bite”?
A short clip or quote used in news coverage
How has social media changed political communication?
Social media gives politicians direct access to voters, but also makes it easier for misinformation to spread.
What is “spin” in political coverage?
When politicians or spokespeople present events favorably
What’s the difference between liberal and conservative media outlets?
Their perspective, framing of issues, and selection of stories.
What is fake news and how can it spread?
Fake news spreads quickly online and can mislead the public about important issues.
How can media coverage create bias during elections?
By focusing on polls or controversies instead of policies
What is narrowcasting?
Targeting a specific audience with certain viewpoints.
What role do political commentators and analysts play in shaping public opinion?
Commentators and analysts shape how people think about politics by explaining, and sometimes influencing what events mean.
How can biased coverage impact voter decisions?
Biased media can influence who people vote for by shaping their perceptions and opinions.
Why is media literacy important for democracy?
What’s the difference between free media coverage and paid media (ads) in campaigns?
Free media = earned attention (less control)
Paid media = purchased attention (more control)
Which type of media has the broadest reach today, and why?
Digital media; accessibility and instant sharing
How do leaks and investigative journalism hold government accountable?
What’s one way to detect bias in a news source?
Compare multiple outlets, check sources, tone, etc.
What’s one law or rule that affects media coverage of elections?
Equal-time rule