Jagandeep Mokha

Bliss
AP, Per. 4
Chapter 10: The Media and American Politics
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Timeline of the Media and
American Politics

Impact of Media

TV

Evidence states the media influence our

culture and politics is present. The mass media-newspapers
and magazines, radio, television (broadcast, cable, and
satellite), the Internet, films, recordings, books, and electronic
communication-are the means of communication that reach
the mass public.
- Television has changed American politics more
than any other invention. Most Americans watch some
kind of television news every day. The average
American watches television four and one-half hours a

day, and most homes have more than two sets.

Radio

Newspaper

Internet

- One of the biggest changes in American

electoral politics of the last half-century is that most
voters now rely more on television commercials for
information about candidates and issues and less on
news coverage.
- Television and the newer media have not
replaced radio. Radio continues to reach more
American households than television does. Only one
household in 100 does not have a radio, compared
with four in 100 without a TV. More than 9 out of 10
people listen to the radio every week, and 8 out of 10
do so every day.
- Daily newspaper circulation has been declining
for the past 30 years to about 55 million nationwide-or
just under one copy for every five people.
- The Internet opens up resources for citizens in
dramatic ways. One study found that nearly half of
Americans go online to search for news on a particular
topic. The internet and social media have the most
impact as more and more people use it everyday.
- Political Socialization is the media, particularly
television, although not as important as family, play a
role in socializing, influencing our values and attitudes.