Understanding the media and the media's agenda

The Mass Media and Political Agenda About Guest Book Bias in the News and Reporting Understanding the media and the media's agenda The Development of Media Politics

Media and the Scope of Government-Rachel Marsh

"Poli" meaning many, "tics" meaning blood sucking insects. This is how the media often feels about politics and politicians. Although media is the biggest linkage institution between people and policymakers, the media often has a bad bias about politicians. They believe politicians have no integrity, and are only concerned about the next election, and therefore often try to disparage them.

Individualism and the Media-RM

The American way of individualism is promoted by the media. Politicians can appeal to the individual better through the media.

Because of this, the character and personality of the politicans and political candidates is becoming increasingly important. So, we will often see a candidate with his or her happy family.

The media sees it as their job to find the unjustice and unfairness and to expose it. Then, ask what the government is doing to fix this problem. This often ends up with the government needing to handle more tasks.

Democracy and the Media-RM

"Information is the fuel of democracy"   - Ronald Berkman and Laura Kitch

Although the media brings unmeasurable information to the people's fingertips, it seems the people are still not becoming "political masters" and the above quote could be strongly argued.

The Media says that the people want entertainment and superficial issues to deal with, and not politics and important issues and therefore do not have many news reporting shows. In this way, the people hold the power of what they see through the media.

Policy entrepreneurs are people who are basically in charge of setting an image for the political party or issue of their preference.  Media is their main way to communicate these messages to the rest of the public.  A perfect example would be during the 1960's when the civil rights movement was just getting started.  With the help of the media and policy entrepreneus, more word was spread and their opinons got out.

Media's Agenda-Setting Function Gabby Isaacs