Chapter 8 Section 3 American Government

Why is the Internet considered a medium?

A medium is a means of communication; it transmits some kind of information. The Internet is therefore considered a medium because is has multiple different forms of communication available. The Internet is able to transmit information whether it be through Facebook on the internet or some using the internet to watch ABC7 NEWS the internet has thousands of ways to transmit information and provide communication to thousands of people within a matter of seconds.

Through which medium-newspapers, televisions, or the internet-can the American people become best informed about public affairs today? Why?

I believe that the internet is one of the best mediums that the American people can become best informed about dealing with public affairs because it has so many sources that it is more difficult for the newspaper to be biased. The television is easier to find biased opinions formed to shape the public's opinion just as the newspaper but the internet has so many different resources that if an individual does feel as though a source is biased they can always find thousands of more articles about the same topic.

How does the media influence the public agenda?

The media is able to influence the public agenda depending on how they portray the news to the public. Depending on the way they choose to broadcast stories. If the news decides to play the same story on the news every two hours about a school shooting that occurred, then the public agenda may change from being about starving children to gun control. Due to the news focusing on a story about a school shooting and not covering the starving children all over the world the media has then influenced the public agenda.

What limits are there on media influence?

The media's influence is limited due to not all people following international, national, or local political events. Another limitation placed on the media's influence is only a small percent of the population that is able to vote does actually vote, and an even smaller percent when voting is education about what their options are when voting. Those that do watch the media often also admit that they tend to only read or watch sources that share the same opinion as them and tell them what they want to hear. More limitations include the restrictions placed on media sources as they have little to nothing to do with public affairs and advertisers who pay high prices to spread the information that they want the public to hear.

Why has radio survived despite television's enormous appeal?

The radio has been able to survive despite television's enormous appeal because it is more convenient that a television. You are able to naturally find a radio easier than you would a television. A radio is almost always found in a car and can be listened to without a subscription charge. Many people also spend more time in their car due to having to travel to work, a task that must be done rather than sitting down in front of a television. A television must also be purchased separately and often a subscription fee must also be payed.