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Data

State of the News Media 2016
Learning Objective: 14-4: Identify the ways in which news is a product of politics.

Video

Media With Meaning
Learning Objective: 14-1: Summarize the development of the news business and technology.

The Daily Show: Indecision 2012, Ron Paul and the Top Tier
Learning Objective: 14-3: Explain how the news media may be considered the “fourth branch” of government as a result of its role in the collective action problem of monitoring elected leaders.

Questions to consider:

1. What do you think? In this Daily Show clip John Stewart argues that by refusing to acknowledge Ron Paul’s strong showing in the polls in Iowa the media is actually affecting the presidential primary race by framing Ron Paul as not being a serious candidate. What do you think of this claim? What affect might it have on Ron Paul’s campaign if the media covered the poll standings more accurately?
    

The Daily Show: End of CNN Investigative Journalism
Learning Objective: 14-3: Explain how the news media may be considered the “fourth branch” of government as a result of its role in the collective action problem of monitoring elected leaders.

Questions to consider:

1. What do you think? Is there a need for investigative journalism? What role does investigative journalism play in the media’s role as the Fourth Branch?
    

Meet the Press: Discussion of Iraq War Propaganda and the Role of the Media
Learning Objective: 14-4: Identify the ways in which news is a product of politics.

Questions to consider:

1. What responsibility for the decision to go into Iraq, if any, does the panel assign to the American media?
    

Partisan Media and Polarization
Learning Objective: 14-4: Identify the ways in which news is a product of politics.

Questions to consider:

1. In what ways does Levendusky argue partisan media such as cable news shows and political blogs contribute to political polarization?
    

Politicians Versus Reporters: The Highlights
Learning Objective: 14-5: Describe the relationship between politicians and reporters.

Meet the Press: The Internet’s Impact on the Political Press
Learning Objective: 14-6: Contrast historical and contemporary politician-press relations.

The American News Media: Biased and Overly Simplistic
Learning Objective: 14-6: Contrast historical and contemporary politician-press relations.

Questions to consider:

1. What evidence does the video’s host cite to support his claim that the American media is “biased and overly simplistic”?
2. What reasons does he cite to explain why most American media fail to cover many international news and perspectives?
3. What do you think? How might the lack of quality media coverage be affecting the political environment in the United States?
    

Web Resources

History of News Media
Learning Objective: 14-1: Summarize the development of the news business and technology.

Newsies, Techies, and That Troublesome Term “Product:”
Learning Objective: 14-2: Discuss the ways in which news is a consumer product and how that influences the news.

The Washington Post Becomes an Amazon Product
Learning Objective: 14-2: Discuss the ways in which news is a consumer product and how that influences the news.

Media Matters for America
Learning Objective: 14-3: Explain how the news media may be considered the “fourth branch” of government as a result of its role in the collective action problem of monitoring elected leaders.

Fairness and Accuracy in Reporting
Learning Objective: 14-3: Explain how the news media may be considered the “fourth branch” of government as a result of its role in the collective action problem of monitoring elected leaders.

Bill Clinton’s Candid Views of the Political Press
Learning Objective: 14-5: Describe the relationship between politicians and reporters.

White House Press Briefings
Learning Objective: 14-6: Contrast historical and contemporary politician-press relations.

How the New Washington Stifles a New Political Press
Learning Objective: 14-6: Contrast historical and contemporary politician-press relations.