Unit 5: The Media as a Political Force

Linkage Institution

A structure within a society that connects the people to the government.

Fourth Branch of Government

A term often used to refer to the media due to its influence on public opinion and policy.

Agenda Setting

The media's role in deciding which issues receive public attention.

Gatekeeper

The media's responsibility to decide what issues are important enough to be reported.

Scorekeeper

The media's role in tracking political reputations and candidacies.

Horse-Race Journalism

News coverage focusing on who is ahead in the polls rather than on candidates' policy platforms.

Bandwagon Effect

A phenomenon where undecided voters support a candidate simply because they are reported to be winning.

Watchdog

The role of the media in scrutinizing the government to expose corruption and inefficiency.

Investigative Journalism

In-depth reporting aimed at uncovering lies or corruption.

Watergate Scandal

A major political scandal that led to the resignation of President Nixon, exposed by the media.

Prior Restraint

Government censorship before publication; deemed unconstitutional in the New York Times Co. v. United States case.

Broadcasting

Media programming intended for a broad audience.

Narrowcasting

Media programming focused on a specific audience or interest.

Confirmation Bias

The tendency to favor information that confirms existing beliefs.

Citizen Journalism

The practice of capturing and reporting news by ordinary citizens, often via social media.

Echo Chamber

An environment where individuals are exposed only to information that reinforces their own beliefs.

Sound Bites

Short video clips of politicians speaking in catchy phrases for media coverage.

Bully Pulpit

The President's platform to speak directly to the public to promote policy.

Press Secretary

The spokesperson for the President who manages communications with the media.

Commercial Bias

A bias in mainstream media towards conflict and drama to generate ratings.

Fairness Doctrine

An FCC policy requiring broadcasters to present opposing views, repealed in 1987.

Censorship

The suppression of speech, public communication, or other information.

Complexity

The nature of Supreme Court rulings that makes them hard to simplify into sound bites.

Political Polarization

The divergence of political attitudes to ideological extremes.

Policy Agenda

The set of issues that policymakers consider important.

Majority Leaders

Key figures in Congress who receive media attention.