Having read the chapter, the students should be able to do each of the following:
Trace the development of the news media from the establishment of the first American newspapers to the modern system of broadcast networks, chain papers, and news services.
Describe how the newspapers of the different historical periods have dealt with the issue of political partisanship.
Give reasons for the high degree of uniformity characterizing the news coverage offered by the American media and how the rise of new media has begun to erode some of that uniformity.
Define the four roles of the media (signaler, common-carrier, watchdog, and partisan); assess the importance of the various roles to a democratic society; and identify the roles most or least suitable for the press and the extent to which media officials perform the various roles.
The opening section of the chapter demonstrates how journalists are often concerned mainly with the dramatic story that is also timely and compelling. The Eliot Spitzer prostitution case preoccupied the media for a significant amount of time while other key political developments, such as his work as a top government official, was not considered particularly newsworthy.
In the nation's first century, the press was allied closely with the political parties and helped the political parties to mobilize public opinion. Gradually, the press freed itself from this relationship and developed a form of reporting, known as objective journalism, which emphasized the fair and accurate reporting of newsworthy developments. The foundations of modern American news rest on the presentation and evaluation of significant events, not on the advocacy of partisan ideas. The nation's news organizations do not differ greatly in their reporting. They emphasize the same events, issues, and personalities following the lead of the broadcast networks, wire services, and elite newspapers.
The press performs four basic roles in a democratic society. In their signaler role, journalists communicate information to the public about events and problems that they consider important, relevant, and therefore newsworthy—focusing the public's attention on what to think about, i.e., agenda setting. The press also serves as a common carrier, in that it provides political leaders with a channel for addressing the public. Third, the press acts as a public protector or watchdog by exposing deceitful, careless, or corrupt officials. The American media can and, to a significant degree, does perform these roles adequately. Finally, the press functions as a partisan advocate. Although the traditional media perform this function to a degree, the newer media—the talk shows and blogs—specialize in it. Their influence has contributed to a rising level of political polarization in the United States. Changes in media technology have also contributed to changes in audience; one broad trend is that younger citizens are now more able to consume media without exposure to news.
