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Theories of Communication
Week 10 – Mass Media and
Governance
MMC110
Instructed by Hillarie Zimmermann
Today’s Class
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Student presentation
Review Chapter 17
Individual review of relevant articles
Group discussion
Review homework
Student Presentation
The News
• How is something defined as “news”?
• “the significant, the unusual, that which
affects us”
• “significance” is open to personal
interpretation
• Gatekeeper – media people who influence
messages en route
12-4
Activity – You Be the Producer (pg. 160)
In groups of three, play the game from
CNN. This activity illustrates that news
producing is not a job for the decisionimpaired.
12-5
Journalism Trends
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Non-stop coverage
Live news
Unedited blogs
Soft news/Entertainment news
Convergence of technology
Others?
12-6
Mass Media and Governance
• News media are influential in public opinion,
governance and politics.
• The media frame issues and prime how
people see the issues.
• Reporters gravitate toward certain kinds of
stories, neglecting others.
• Politicians have developed ways of influencing
media coverage to their advantage.
12-7
Media in Theory
Noam Chomsky and Edward Herman
• Manufacturing Consent
• Propaganda model
Noam Chomsky
Myth of the Liberal Media
12-9
Manufacturing Consent
The news media limits debate on important social and
political issues in the following ways:
• Conglomeration
• Most sources tend to be members of the elite
themselves (Global Climate Coalition example, other
examples?)
• Funding sources of the media – links to advertising
• Targeted efforts to discredit organizations/individuals
who disagree with prevailing assumptions
• See NewsWatch Canada example.
12-10
Media Role in Governance
• The news media are sometimes called the fourth
estate or the fourth branch of government.
• Independent role of the media in reporting on the
government.
• The media act as a kind of watchdog on behalf of
citizens.
• The Globe and Mail and The National Post are seen
as the main political watchdogs in Canada.
12-11
Media Effects on Governance
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Agenda setting
Watergate
Monica Lewinsky
Awareness of an issue – eg. Child
pornography & Famine in Ethiopia
• CNN effect
12-12
Activity – Group Discussion
Read the interview with Noam Chomsky –
In groups of four people, discuss the following points and report
back to the class:
• Do you think that the news media limit debate on important
social and political issues? Yes or no – explain your answer.
• Do you think that the structure of the media reflects the
structure of our society? Yes or no – explain your answer.
• To what extent do you think the elite in society use the media to
control messages? Can you think of any examples?
• Do you think the internet is changing the
government-media landscape? Yes or no, explain
your answer.
12-13
Government Manipulation of
media
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Influencing coverage
Scrums
Trail balloons and leaks
Stonewalling
Read this article about Harper's press
gallery take down.
12-14
Activity
• In groups of three, read the section in
your book on “Trial Balloons and
Leaks,” and then look online to find
one famous leak in Canadian politics.
• Report back to the class.
12-15
Homework
• Comment on the website – you can make up the weeks that
you have not done yet – remember 20% of your mark is linked
to “Demonstrated Student Leadership”
• Final essay is due on December 10
• Final essay presentations will be done in the December 10th
class – there will be a peer review component to the
presentations
• Please submit your short memo to me about what mark you
should get for DSL – Due by December 10th
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Explain to the instructor why you should get the 20% credit for demonstrating
leadership
Also submit the grade out of 20 you think you should get
If you do not submit a memo, you receive no credit
• Last class is on December 10th