Mr.

Stevens
American Government
Unit 5-Mass Media and the Government
-Many people criticize the media because its often very _____________________ and
opinion-based.
-Oftentimes, the news seems to be made more for entertainment purposes than
to strictly inform people.
-Theres nothing wrong with having debates about topics on TV, but sometimes that
news channel doesnt give adequate time and thought to the other sides opinions
on the issues.
Why so much bias in the media?
-_________________________ is a huge factor. Many news agencies are for-profit
institutions which means their goal is to make money.
-More ratings equals more money (from advertising, etc.). How do you get more
ratings?
-History seems to suggest that opinion-based shows and lots of debates/arguing can
draw in an audience more than a very straightforward news show.
Spin refers to when information is presented to the public in a way that doesnt
change the facts of a story per se, but it alters the story in a way that makes it
seem different in a variety of ways.
-Political campaigns often ________________________ their candidates backgrounds,
personal dealings, etc. to make them seem better or less threatening.
-The news is often spinned by some news agencies.
A falsely _____________________________statement meant to damage a persons
reputation is known as libel.
A falsely spoken statement meant to damage a persons reputation is known as
slander.
Can occur for a variety of reasons, but its not necessarily protected under the First
Amendment.
The TV shows and radio broadcasts (FM, AM, SiriusXM) you listen to are collectively
known as broadcast media.
-This can include shows such as The Situation Room on CNN, The Bill OReilly Show,
The Simpsons, or ______________________.
There are non-profit media organizations as well:
NPR (National Public Radio). NPR is broadcast locally on 91.7 FM, for example and
on NPR Now on Sirius-XM.
It is both privately and publicly funded, and its a non-profit.
Many images that are circulated have a powerful impact on the perception of an
event.

-These can include photographs or videos. They can appear in magazines,

newspapers, YouTube, TV, etc.
They can force change in the government--even though the
______________________________ may not have asked for the change.
Books also have a very powerful impact on society. The Jungle by Upton Sinclair
changed the way industries operated in the United States and other western nations
by exposing the horrors of meat-packing plants.
Music and movies also have an impact on the way people perceive (for good or bad)
our government.
Songs like Ohio by Neil Young, Fortunate Son by Creedence Clearwater Revival,
and For What Its Worth by Buffalo Springfield (among many, many others) were
written about specific events and meant to send a political
____________________________ about current events and politics.
Ohio: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YdVMGKOFIwY
Fortunate Son: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ec0XKhAHR5I
For What Its Worth: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DIoKr9VDg3A
TV shows like The Daily Show with Jon Stewart and The Colbert Report have
changed the way many people get their news. They have also added an element of
humor that people find appealing.
Every year, the press has a dinner with the __________________________. A comedian
is brought in and roasts the president. The president then gets to speak and joke
about things himself.
White House Correspondents video: 2014
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=123NdtnI09o
100 Photographs That Changed the World
-Find five photos (any five you want) and write about their impact on society. A 5
Ws approach would work good (who, what, when, where, why) to describe the
photo and its impact on either our nation and/or the world.