Identify and explain the

role of media in the

political system.
Almost all Americans get
their news from the media
and the media shapes how
Americans perceive the
world and what is considered
to be important. News
reports serve as
intermediary between
government and the people,
helps determine which
issues should be discussed
and keeps citizens actively
involved in politics.
Examine the impact of
media on public opinion,
voter perceptions,
campaign strategies,
electoral outcomes, agenda
development, and the
images of officials and
candidates.
The media depicts what it wants its
audience to believe, true or not, and society
believes it. Media effects perception of the
candidate and compromises voters decision
making abilities by providing a specific point
of view.
The media speeds up
communication and increases
number of people involved, as
well as keeping followers easily
engaged. Media allows
information to be extended to
all and allows communication
between candidates and voters
until he last minutes of polling.
The more a subject is covered, the more
highly regarded that subject is considered
an important issue by the public. The media
is good for voters to get valid information
and is also good for candidates to
individually present views. However, the
media can be bad for candidates because
opinions are openly expressed and can
effect the outlook of other viewers.
Identify and describe the
symbiotic and frequently
conflicting relationship
among candidates, elected
officials, and the media.
The relationship between
media and
candidates/officials is
mutually dependent. Media
can present any information
they want, good or bad,
which holds
official/candidates
accountable for what and
how they say or do things.
However, the media does
distort the news and this
creates a conflicting
relationship between the
three.
Identify and describe the
goals and incentives of the
media as an industry and
how those goals influence
the nature of news
coverage.
The main goals of media is to
provide awareness, compare
and form opinions, encourage
citizen action and establish
trust. Trusted reporters will
receive more information from
those in higher positions.
However, the nature of media
is very sneaky and has come
to mean that the best story
has the most coverage,
whether it is true or not.
Examine and analyze the
consequences of the
increasing concentration
of major media outlets in
fewer hands, as well as
the growing role of the
internet.
Outlooks are limited when
information is presented by
specific groups because
these groups have their
own biased opinion and
dont allow for a wide
variety of news outlets.
The internet has come to influence the
entire election process by reaching out
to all members and demographics in
society, giving them information and
providing support groups with more
forms of communication.
Identify and describe the
political roles played by a variety
of lobbyists and interest groups.
Lobbying and participation in
interest groups is a mechanism
through which citizens make
their concerns known to elected
officials. These groups try to
influence government policy to
meet their needs and often
result personal benefit.
These members work closely
with members of congress
and administration to draft
legislation and policy
initiatives. They also work to
provide information to
government and the public on
a broad range of issues, as
well as contribute to political
campaigns.
Explain why some interests are
represented by organized
groups while others are not,
and the consequences of this
difference in representation.
Identify and describe interest
groups, what do they do, how
do they do it, and how this
affects both the political
process and public policy.
Certain groups have specific beliefs
that current issues coincide with.
The difference in representation
results in formation of a variety of
interest groups, usually economic,
business, labor or agriculture.
These members share similar beliefs
and try to influence government
policy in fixing their concerns ,
contributing to campaigns ,
providing litigation to influence
politicians, and are highly regarded
by politicians because these groups
provide money to get them re-
elected.
Discuss why certain segments
of the population are able to
exert pressure on political
institutions and actors in order
to obtain favorable policies.
Some groups are supported by
powerful businesses or political
interests and have the ability to
provide a lot of money to
campaigns in order to support
the candidate of their choice,
which most likely follows the
views of their liking. This will
further influence policies if the
supported candidate is elected.
Identify and describe
mechanisms that allow citizens
to organize and communicate
their interests and concerns.
The formation of political
parties provides for group
organization of communicating
shared concerns and providing
money to candidates willing to
follow through with their
supporters political beliefs.
Examine the significance of the
historical evolution of the US
party system, the functions and
structures of political parties, and
the effects they have on the
political process.
Throughout history, politics have
been dominated by a two party
system. The need to win political
support led to the creation of political
parties, which are organized at local,
state and governmental levels.
Activists of interest groups choose
people to run for office, manage and
finance campaigns and develop
positions and policies that appeal to
party constituents.
Political parties separate candidates
into groups who will then negotiate
how government will serve the
people. These groups fund
candidates and the more money
offered, the stronger a campaign is
publicized. If a party representative
is elected, the beliefs of its
supporting political party will be
influenced in government.
Examine the issues of
party reform and of
campaign strategies and
financing in the electronic
age providing students
with important
perspectives.
Money and funding provides
unequal opportunity, so the goal
is to create an even political
playing field. Campaigning is a
difficult process, it lowers the
audiences knowledge by
providing publicity rather than
information.
Financing plays the role of
hiring lobbyists and campaign
managers, which are what
present the image of a
candidate. Money results in the
wealthy candidate having a
stronger campaign, but this
does not guarantee a stronger
understanding.
Electronics appeal to all age
groups and have become very
important to the political process
in that they provide the
information and opinions the
audience is looking for during an
election.
Trace and discuss a the
development and the role
of PACs in elections and
the ideological and
demographic differences
between the two major
parties, as well as the third
parties.
PACs began as little more than
technical support people who
managed system problems.
However, now, they are
considered to hold the role of
strategic knowledge workers,
PACs represent candidates and
are responsible for trouble-
shooting, maintenance,
guidelines and expansion of
political systems.
Southerners, the older population, men, as
well as some other demographics have
become increasingly conservative, while
democrats include a majority of Americas
youth, minorities, women and more. The
third parties include a variety of
demographics that usually possess a strong
feeling on specific issues, rather than a
spectrum of generalized issues.