Media and Elections

The way an issue is presented in the media, which can influence decisions and judgments

• Framing

• Political Efficacy

• Watchdog

• Micro-Targeting

The process by which a few large companies have acquired the majority of news sources in the United States. Today, six companies (CBS, Comcast, Disney, News Corporation, Time Warner, and Viacom) control 90% of American media outlets.

• Media Consolidation

• Micro-Targeting

• Political Efficacy

• Dealignment

People who promote the election of candidates for political office by helping advise candidates on how best to present their ideas to the public.

• Political Consultant

• Incumbent

• Party in the Electorate

• Party Organization

Money spent in support of a candidate without directly donating to their campaign, such as paying for ads or campaign events, or giving to the candidate's party. These campaign contributions are unregulated by federal or state law.

• Soft Money

• Hard Money

The media's role in holding our government and those in power accountable.

• Watchdog

• Gate Keeper

• Framing

• Gerrymandering

Law that banned soft money and forced candidates to explicitly acknowledge approval of all TV ads.

• Federal Regulation of Lobbying Act of 1946

• Federal Election Commission Act of 1971

• Bipartisan Campaign Reform Act of 2002 (McCain-Feingold Act)

• Hatch Act of 1939

The media can act as a linkage institution in all of the following ways except...

• reporting breaking news to inform our electorate

• investigative journalism (to expose corruption, politicians, government inaction, etc.)

• covering campaigns/elections (horse race journalism)

• nominating candidates, endorsing candidates for office

The practice of targeting specific groups of voters with tailored messages during an election campaign is known as:

• A) Micro-Targeting

• B) Framing

• C) Media Consolidation

• D) Political Efficacy

Which of the following describes the phenomenon where media coverage focuses on the competitive aspects of politics rather than policy issues?

• A) Horse Race Journalism

• B) Watchdog Journalism

• C) Investigative Journalism

• D) Yellow Journalism

The term used to describe the influence of media in setting the public agenda by focusing attention on certain issues is:

• A) Agenda Setting

• B) Framing

• C) Gatekeeping

• D) Priming