last updated
9/15/2011
How sources seek to control news
[ ] = II items
-
[manipulate deadlines] -- News released at 4pm Friday -- no one
will cover it
-
[manipulate access] (exclusives, early press releases, etc.)
-
[
using controlled channels] and [ direct access of sources to
audiences ]
-
[
using media comptetition ]
-
[ language and symbols ]
-
use 6 word headlines and sound-bites
-
avoid yes-no answers [language]
-
be visual [symbols and pseudo-events, use locations well]
-
use [
prepackaged news ]
-
use wire service and local outlets for press release stuff [direct news
feeds,
-
create pseudo-events,
-
write and distribute prepared editorials,
-
send out electronic press kits
-
meet expectations but make news
-
be unusual
-
get near the President
-
leak info
-
confess mistakes
soon and completely -
keep cool on slow news days or use them
-
don't criticize the press
-
use [
political pressures ] Jamieson. pp. 145-154
Note Case study 4-1
Methods of Source Attribution
-
On the record - reporters can use anything
from the source. "On the record" is assumed unless one of the
standards below is agreed upon.
-
Check Quotes - reporters must check back
with the source to verify any direct quotations used in the story.
-
Background
-
not for direct attribution - reporters cannot
identify the person who is the source (e.g. "A whitehouse
official has confirmed ....")
-
not for direct quote - reporters can identify
the source but only paraphrase and not quote directly.
-
Deep background - reporters cannot even
indicate there is a source for the information (e.g. "Newsweek has
learned....")
-
Off the Record - none of the information
obtained can be used in the story.
Discuss
Discussion Questions
for Thursday
- The national politics has produced substantial and
well-covered instances of "incivility" in the political discussions of
potential policies (at “town halls” with congressmen, demonstrations
of various types, the mosque protests, deficit reduction debates,
Middle-east policy, etc.). What is your reaction to this? Is this
emotional form of discussion helping us solve problems? What should be
done about it and by whom?
- What role do the Media play
in causing incivility and in making it difficult to decide of how to
deal with the challenges facing our nation?
- What role do Politicians
and Political Parties play in causing poor discussions of national
issues?
What should they do that would be better?
- What role does or should
Higher Education play in improving civic and civil discussion of
issues facing our country?
- What are some strategies (public or personal) to
control the negative effects of incivility without curtailing
important criticism and comment?
- Can you identify ways news sources (politicians,
corporate leaders, commentators, special interest groups) have
recently influenced news coverage of national problems. Ordinary
citizens?
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