Survey
* Your assessment is very important for improving the workof artificial intelligence, which forms the content of this project
* Your assessment is very important for improving the workof artificial intelligence, which forms the content of this project
Theories of Communication Week 10 – Mass Media and Governance MMC110 Instructed by Hillarie Zimmermann Today’s Class • • • • • 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 • • • • • • 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 • • • • 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 • • • • • 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 • • • 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