Transcript MMC 910 Journalism and Society, Week 09 after Week 08 Midterm

Session 9: Media and Public Opinion (Week 7 cont.)
MMC and MIST Programs
Official launch of MIST and MMC has been postponed,
probably cancelled
On Wednesday, April 11, we will have the 911 class in
Block 5 - 121
Media and Politics: Communicating
the Transitions
We plan to run the Media and Politics conference, but
not in May – October most likely
Have to raise funding, get commitments from speakers,
which cannot be done as fast as we had hoped
Tonight’s Program
 Dr. Hind Zantout – guest speaker
 Discussion of Midterm Exam
 Discussion of Report: Strengths and Weaknesses of
one theory; link theory and practice; 200o wds
 Discuss remaining readings on Manufactured Reality
Guest Speaker
Dr. Hind Zantout on
Technology and Social (in)Justice:
Toward Broadband Access as a Human Right
Midterm Exam Results
 Congratulations – situation was different for you
 Everyone passed
 A few excellent – will show two model exams
 Reading directions is important
 Understanding instructor’s typical demands is
important
 Going to Academic Writing & Research class is
imperative
Report due April 16 by email
 Take one theory that we have covered this semester
and discuss its strengths and weaknewss
 Link the theory to current journalism that you read or
follow – give examples
 Use only short quotes
 Paper must be written essay style, maximum 2000
words
 Include List of Works Consulted – alphabetical by
author’s last name. list of everything you refer to in
your paper
Elements of Journalism
 Truth
 Loyalty to citizens
 Verification
 Independence from news sources
 Independent monitor of power/powerful
 Forum for public criticism and compromise
 News is significant, interesting, and relevant
 News is comprehensive and proportional
 Journalists exercise personal conscience
 Rights and responsibilities of citizens
Manufactured Reality – cont.
Ian Ward
 Bullet Theory – no single father but assumed by many
 Part of assumption that new media techniques lead to
more influence on people: see radio, TV, internet
 Bad Guys – propaganda development
 Is there mass society?
 Two-step flow: media – opinion leaders – people
 Minimal effects – media only part of what influences
people
Manufactured Reality – cont. 3
Robert Entman
 Using information processing theory – schemas
 People reject or absorb messages depending on their
inclinations, repetition
 Impacts of news diversity, editorial opinions
 Selective exposure – people read, follow what they
agree with or
 News content shapes audience attitudes
Manufactured Reality – cont. 4
Paul D’Angelo
 History of news framing research
 News frames work by
cognitive paradigm
critical selection paradigm
constructionist paradigm
 D’Angelo proposes multiparadigmatic framing
see p. 880 diagram: Frame construction flow, Framing
effects flow, Frame definition flow
Manufactured Reality – cont. 5
Mark Fischle and Karen Stenner-Day
 Return to information processing theory – schema
 Media effects rely on schema “priming” – media brings
back memories
 Yes, media affect people’s attitudes
 Not by direct persuasion but by way people process
news
 Schemas can be revised by media
 Most effective with people who have weak schema
structures
Coming Up
 MMC 911 meets in KV – 121 on Wednesday
 Finish readings for Week 9 in updated syllabus:
Gate keeping, agenda setting, spiral of silence, and
news values
 Continue Week 10 readings in updated syllabus:
Circulation, ratings, and survival
See you Wednesday!