Exam 3-Government

major effect of the Telecommunication Act of 1996

-Following the passage of this act, mergers followed, creating media tech giants and media conglomerates. -The result was a greater concentration of media ownership than had been possible previously.

Labor Groups (interest group)

-Many unions lobby on behalf of organized labor in the private sector. (Examples: the United Auto Workers; the United Mine Workers; the Teamsters) -Public-sector unions represent members who work in government and public education. ( Examples: American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees(AFSCME); American Federation of Teachers (AFT)) -Some unions organize workers in the private and public sectors. (Example: the Service Employees International Union (SEIU))

Professional Associations (interest group)

-Professional associations represent the interests of individuals who work in specific occupations. • They constitute 5.4 percent of the organized groups in Washington. • Physicians, lawyers, accountants, real estate agents, dentists, and even college faculty have professional associations. • Examples: the American Bar Association, the American MedicalAssociation, and the National Realtors Association

What do interest groups do?

-lobbying • "Inside strategies" include gaining access to key decision makers, lobbying, and litigating cases in courts. • "Outside strategies" include using electoral politics and going public. • Making face-to-face contact with legislators or top staff • Providing information to legislators on key legislation• Giving testimony to congressional committees • Organizing letter-writing, phone-call, email, and social media

citizen journalism

news reported and political commentary distributed by citizens, advocacy groups, and eyewitnesses to crises, often by cellphone images or video and distributed via social media

filter bubble

partisan media environments in which users are exposed to opinions and information that conforms to existing beliefs.

opinion-driven journalism

political blogs and talk shows where the writer or host provides highly opinionated personal commentary

Political Action Committee (PAC)

• Provide financial support to candidates and parties • Federal law limits contributions received and contributions made to federal candidates

how are news sources viewed?

Views about the influence of the media in American politics have shifted dramatically since Joe Biden was elected president. -Today 41 percent of Americans believe news organizations are gaining influence, while 33 percent believe their influence is declining. -People who have greater trust in national news organizations tend to be more likely to see the news media as gaining influence. • Those with low levels of trust are generally more likely to see it waning

interest groups

an organized group of people or institutions that lobbies government to change public policy.

solidary benefits

friendship, networking opportunities (socializing)

main public ideologies in the US

liberalism and conservatism

can interest groups change a policy?

no, but they can influence policy makers/become legislators/ communicate with policy makers

journalism of affirmation

puts forth opinion and information that is consistent with consumer's preexisting beliefs.

how have media monopolies impacted national and local news?

reducing numbers of smaller outlets and viewers

political ideology

refers to a cohesive set of beliefs that form a general philosophy about the role of government.

where do Americans encounter misinformation?

social media

how is public opinion captured

survey sampling

confirmation bias

the tendency to favor information that confirms a person's existing beliefs and discounting evidence that could challenge those beliefs.

what happens when people have low political knowledge

they believe and use everything the media tells them, even if it is misinformed

material benefits

travel packages, insurance, discounts on consumer goods (special goods, servicing, money)

527 committee (Super PAC)

• Can raise unlimited amounts of money • Cannot make campaign contributions or coordinate with

how do they accumulate the news?

• Democrats, for example, are much more likely than Republicans to think information from national news organizations is trustworthy.

algorithms

• Using computer algorithms and market research, they push specific news alerts to specific people -The algorithms, however, did more than drive revenue—they also fostered public anger, divisiveness, and polarization. -Digital ad revenue has become one of the most important forms of advertising.

gender (affect public opinion)

• Women tend to oppose military intervention more than men do. • Women are more likely than men to favor gun control and government social programs. • Perhaps because of these differences on issues, women are more likely than men to vote for Democratic candidates. • This tendency of men's and women's voting to differ is known as the gender gap.

citizen groups (interest groups)

Citizen groups are open to ordinary citizens • They represent a wide variety of interests on issues ranging from the environment to abortion, to gun policy, to disability rights. • The largest citizen group is AARP (formerly the American Association forRetired People) • Public interest groups claim they serve the general good rather than only their own particular interests. • Ideological groups are organized in support of a particular political or philosophical perspective. • Examples: the Christian Coalition; NARAL Pro-Choice America

how are media monopolies formed?

Concentration of ownership in traditional media -ownership and control of media by a few large corporations • More than three-fourths of daily print newspapers are owned by media conglomerates (e.g., Hearst, Gannett).

Corporate Groups and Trade Associations. (interest group)

Corporations commonly form trade associations with other businesses in their economic sector. (Examples: the American Beverage Association; the American Fueland Petrochemical Manufacturers) -They may join broader corporate groups as well. (Examples: the U.S. Chamber of Commerce (represents many types of businesses); the National Federation of Independent Business(represents small businesses))

ethnicity (affects on public opinion)

Ethnicity also affects political attitudes separately from race. • Latinos make up 19 percent of the total population and are the largest and fastest-growing racial and ethnic group in the United States. • Most Hispanic people are racially White; however, their shared ethnic background contributes to a group consciousness that shapes opinions. • Immigration is one of the most important policy issues among Latinos. • Significant majorities of are Latinos concerned about restrictive immigration policies.

how often do Americans encounter misinformation

Four in ten Americans report "often" coming across made-up news and another half say they "sometimes" do.

government groups (interest groups)

Governments lobby each other because national, state, and local governments all share policy responsibilities. • Examples: National League of Cities; the National Conference ofState Legislatures; the National Governors Association • The National Governors Association may lobby the federal government for more highway funding for the states. • The National League of Cities provides research and lobbying assistance for cities. • It lobbies the state and federal government regarding crime prevention, economic development, and other issues.

adversarial journalism

Journalists may adopt a stance of opposition or combative style towards the government or public officials.

generations (affect public opinion)

Natural group differences in interest also exist between generations. • Compared to other generations, Millennials and Generation Z are: • more accepting of legalization of marijuana• more accepting of LGBTQ rights • more concerned about racial injustice• more concerned about criminal justice policies • more concerned about the cost of a college education• more concerned about climate change • more concerned about privacy and security online • Older citizens are more concerned than younger citizens with protecting Social Security, prescription drug prices, and Medicare benefits.

race (affect public opinion)

Race plays an important role in shaping political attitudes. • Many Black Americans perceive other Black people as members of a group with a common identity and political interests. • Political scientists refer to this phenomenon as "linked fate":Black people see their fate as linked to that of other Black people. • This linked fate acts as a sort of filter through which BlackAmericans evaluate information and determine their own opinions and policy preferences.

principled journalism

Reporting that involves being as accurate, fair, and balanced, relyingon original sources, and presenting multiple viewpoints.

how does media affect politics?

The news media help level the playing field between political elites who have high levels of political knowledge and "the people."• Without the news media, the public would not know as much about the actions of political leaders and corporations. • As such, the public would have less opportunity to challenge those with power in the face of corruption. • In their third role, the media serve as a watchdog for the public. • The media scrutinize the actions of elected officials on behalf of citizens.

How do they overcome this concern they have?

They offer "selective benefits." -are available to group members only

Think Tanks (interest Groups)

Think tanks conduct research and promote policy alternatives in an effort to influence government policy. • Examples: American Enterprise Institute; Heritage Foundation,Human Rights Watch; the Center for American Progress • Think tanks typically employ researchers and fellows who generate studies and reports advocating certain policy solutions. •Many have an explicit ideological stance and generate research in keeping with that perspective.

journalism of assertion

This is the publishing or broadcasting of information or opinion as quickly as possible, with minimal fact-checking.

purposive benefits

advocacy, representation before government, participation in public affairs (pursuing goals, serving a cause)

what problem do interest groups have?

collective groups making "free riders"

informational benefits

conferences and publications, professional contacts, publications, coordination among organizations, research, legal help, professional codes, collective bargaining

misinformation

false, inaccurate, or misleading information in the media, especially social media -• Can include manipulated or fabricated content or satire

who benefits the most from interest groups?

ederly