For your last this assignment you will write a 3–5-page essay on the power of the media in American politics. Use three or more of the questions below — based on Chapter 9 in the AmGov textbook — as the focus of your paper. Also, find at least two articles or websites that relate to the topic and make direct references to them in addition to the book.
Here’s what to do: First, get started by reading chapter 9 to learn more about the media Next, pick at least three of the questions listed below and use your answers to them to build your essay. Focus specifically on the areas in the chapter that cover the questions you’ve chosen to answer and make direct references to the book when answering the questions. Then find two or more articles and/or websites that you’ll use to write your paper. (Be sure to make direct reference to those sources too!)
I expect you to go beyond simply answering the questions in order to write an essay on this important topic. Work to develop more of a discussion on the media based on what you’ve learned from the book, what you find in articles and web resources, and what you think about the connection between American politics and the news media.
Pick three or more of these questions as the basis of your essay:
Being a ‘mediated citizen’ (as your textbook’s author describes us) has both benefits and drawbacks. Discuss how we get our information and what it means to be a mediated citizen in today’s America. (Sections 9.1 & 9.2)
Is there a conflict between the media’s need to make a profit and their role in reporting the news? Does having a ‘free’ media mean that there are no constraints on the media? (Section 9.3)
What do journalists do, how important are those things and can we trust them? (Section 9.4)
How do the people working in the media help shape the political narrative? What are some of the powers of the media to ‘spin’ or create a story? (Section 9.5)
What are some of the ways that politicians can control, or manage, the news? How can citizens get some control over the political narrative? (Sections 9.6 & 9.7)
I expect your paper to clearly reflect the ideas and definitions that you learn from Barbour’s chapter on the media. Make direct references to the book and your articles and other resources. Although Chapter 9 will be your basic resource for understanding the power of the media, you must also find at least two other sources (articles and/or websites) to help further develop your paper.
You may also make references to any other part of the textbook that you’d like in order to help you write a stronger paper. You will be graded down if you do not make direct reference to the textbook and your articles. Be sure to include complete citations for your articles.
INSTRUCTIONS
I expect well organized, clear and well written work. Remember to identify quotes and references to the textbook by using embedded references like this: (Section 6.5). Also, give me full citations for the articles and other web resources you use.
Your paper will be 3-5 pages (double-spaced) in length. When you quote or make reference to Barbour, be sure to give me specific page or section numbers.