Chapter 7

4 functions of the mass media: surveillance, interpretation,

socialization and manipulation
-surveillance the process by which the news media inform
people of important events
-involves judgments about what is newsworthy
-interpretation - the function of the media that puts an issue
into context
-socialization - the function in which the mass media helps
citizens learn basic values that prepare them to live in their
society
-ex only covering major two political parties
-manipulation
post-broadcast democracy information widely available
media biases more structural than ideological
-two party system, emphasis on president, on issues parties
known for, and for lawmakers that go against their party
-people of different ideological orientations can read same story
and think it is biased in completely different directions
dissonance reduction believing an incorrect opinion against all fact
in order to be consistent with other ideological standings (party
affiliation, etc)
agenda setting media has capacity o bring matters to attention of
the public or conceal them
candidates image evolves through the three way interaction of the
candidates campaign, the news media and the public