mass media
forms of communication, such as newspapers and radio, that reach millions of people.
gatekeepers
people or corporations who control access to information
media events
events that are purposely staged for the media and that are significant just because the media are there
yellow journalism
journalism that exploits, distorts, or exaggerates the news to create sensations and attract readers
on the record
information provided to a journalist that can be released and attributed by name to the source
off the record
information provided to a journalist that will not be released to the public
on background
information provided to a journalist that will not be attributed to a named source
on deep background
the information can be used but without attribution. The source does not want to be identified in any way, even on condition of anonymity.
equal time rule
FCC rule requiring media stations to offer advertising time to all candidates if they offer it to one candidate.
press release
a document offering an official comment or position.
press briefing
a relatively restricted session between a press secretary or aide and the press
press conference
an unrestricted session between an elected official and the press
agenda setting
determining which public-policy questions will be debated or considered.
framing
the way an issue is posed; how an issue is framed can significantly affect decisions and judgments.
Ability of the media to influence public perception of issues by constructing the issue or discussion of a subject in a certain way
horse-race journalism
the tendency of the media to cover campaigns by emphasizing how candidates stand in the polls instead of where they stand on the issues
linkage institutions
institutions that connect citizens to the government (i.e. mass media, interest groups, political parties, elections)