Chapter 13 American Politics

-the tendency of the media to make coverage and programming decisions

- campaign funds donated directly to candidates; amounts are limited by federal election laws

- unregulated campaign contributions by individuals, groups, or parties that promote general election activities but do not directly support individual candidates

- the perception that an election victory signals broad support for the winner’s proposed policies

- means of conveying information to a large public audiences cheaply and effiecently

-process through which the media emphasize particular aspects of news story, thereby influencing the public’s perception of the story

- web logs, or online journals, that can cover any topic, including political analysis

-journalists and media elite who determine which news stories are covered and which are not

-the way in which the media’s emphasis on particular characteristics of people, events, or issues influence the public’s perception of those people, events, or issues

- the phenomenon of filtering incoming information though personal values and interests

-the media’s focus on the competitive aspects of politics rather than on actual policy proposals and political issues

-a brief, snappy excerpt for a publics figure’s speech that is easy to repeat on the news

- excessive press coverage of an embarrassing or scandalous issue

-the idea that governing requires a continual effort to convince the public to sign onto the program, requiring a reliance on consultants and an emphasis on politics over policy

-the efforts of a politician’s staff to control news about the politician