Public Opinion and Media

​TITLE: Monitoring and Influencing Government

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Write this question at the top of your paper: How can the media and citizens influence the government?

Public Opinion is

The ideas and attitudes that people hold about elected officials, candidates, government, and political issues.

The media

refers to the sources of our news and information about current events

Multiple Choice

Is this media or public opinion:

President Biden has a 37% approval rating

• Public Opinion

• Media

• Neither One

Fill in the Blank

If Ms. Weller is watching CNN, she is watching a form of

5 Roles of Media

1. Watchdog

•

• Keeps watch on the government and others in power

• Speaks out to alert public of wrong-doing

• Holds government accountable

Multiple Choice

Which is an example of a watchdog news story?

• A report exposing a government official's theft of public funds

• An interview with a famous celebrity
• A review of a new restaurant in town
• A weather forecast for the upcoming week

2. Business:
Most media outlets are commercial or for-profit sources
Make money by selling space to advertisers
For-profit media must attract views to keep ad sales

Poll

If the media is most concerned about making money, or a profit, do you think that the news is always unbiased?

• Yes, the news is always unbiased

• No, the news is showing biased stories

3. Gatekeeper

•Decides which
stories and issues
are important to
receive public
attention

Open Ended

If a gatekeeper is deciding which stories to show on television, what happens to important news events that are not shown?

4. Biased

•Select certain
types of stories
•Report stories in a
way that is
weighted toward
one side.

Multiple Choice

What is an example of a biased news story?

• A news story that presents both sides of an issue equally
• A news story that includes multiple expert opinions
• A news story that includes only positive information about a political candidate

• A news story that provides detailed background information

5. Agenda-Setter

•Responsible for

deciding what
issues society
discusses

• Determines

which issues
are top priority
to American
citizens

Open Ended

What are some issues that are important to you today?

Open Ended

Have you been influenced by the media (or social media) to think about these issues more than others? How do you know?

Citizen Influencers

Individuals can monitor, hold
accountable and influence the
government too by:
• Attending Civic Meetings
• Peacefully Protesting
• Petitioning the Government
• Running for Office
• Voting

Multiple Choice

The media starts reporting about a disgusting-looking ingredient found in many common foods. Soon everyone is talking about the ingredient. People begin signing petitions, and soon there is a major movement to convince the government to outlaw the ingredient. Which role is this?

• Watchdog

• Agenda setter

• Business

• Biased

Multiple Choice

Two hundred people rally in the street to protest a city’s decision to cut bus transportation. Instead of covering that event, the evening news runs a story about the mayor’s plan to build a new park. Which role is this?

• Agenda setter

• Watchdog

• Gate keeper

• Business

Multiple Choice

A politician accepts expensive gifts from a campaign supporter. Two television networks run hour-long exposés about the politician’s bad behavior. The politician returns the gifts and resigns from office. Which role is this?

• Watchdog

• Business

• Biased

• Gate keeper

Multiple Choice

A newspaper loses several advertising accounts after sales are down. The paper decides to put crime stories on the front page and move stories about government to page 2. Sales go up, and advertisers begin buying more ad space in the newspaper.

• Biased

• Gate keeper

• Agenda setter

• Business

Multiple Choice

Two presidential candidates give speeches in a city on the same day. One local newspaper features a photo of the Republican candidate with the front-page story. The other local paper runs a photo of the Democratic candidate.

• Watchdog

• Business

• Biased

• Gate keeper

Tomorrow, you are to write a 3 sentence summary of your notes. I will check it Wednesday.