• MSM loses share
• MSM loses credibility
• MSM accused of bias
• Polarization of audience
• Alternative media rises/hostile to MSM
• Impact on presidential politics

Trend I

Media Alternatives Necessary for Democracy -

“Citizens have a right to seek out alternative and independent sources of information from other citizens, experts, newspapers, magazines, books, telecommunications, and the like.” Robert A. Dahl, “What Political Institutions Does Large-Scale Democracy Require,” Political Science Quarterly, 2005

Dominate Media Challenged by Technology -

“In the past a few major newspapers, a handful of wire services, and three large television networks were the main news providers. Now a bevy of round-the-clock cable television stations and news websites cover much of the breaking news and set the agenda for competitors with slower news cycles.” Doris A. Graber, Mass Media and American Politics, 2005

Questions: “How did you get most of your news about the presidential election campaign? From television, from newspapers, from radio, from magazines, or from the Internet?” Television users were then asked, “Did you get most of your news about the presidential election campaign from local TV news, ABC, CBS, NBC, network news, or from CNN, MSNBC or Fox News Channel cable news networks?” Respondents could name multiple sources.

Trend II

2004 Saw Power of New Media –

“Old Media had competition, from new Media. The cable news audience had vastly expanded in the preceding quarter-century, and CNN had competition from MSNBC and Fox News Channel, which in the 2004 cycle had more viewers that CNN and MSNBC put together. Talk radio had become a vibrant source of political information and argumentation. And the blogosphere – weblogs sent out over the Internet – provided an additional source of information and networking.” Michael Barone, Almanac of American Politics, 2006.

Seven Outlets to Seventy -

“When Ronald Reagan was president, his communications team could reach the American public by simply walking into the pressroom and talking to seven outlets – the AP, UPI, Washington Post, New York Times, and the three commercial TV networks. Today, two decades later, that list is not seven outlets but perhaps 70, or more and includes media – including talk radio hosts, Internet ‘bloggers,’ and others – that did not exist in 1980.” Tom Rosenstiel, Public Opinion Quarterly, Special Issue, 2005

Question: Now I am going to read you a list of institutions in American society. Please tell me how much confidence you, yourself, have in each one – a great deal, quite a lot, some, or very little?

Question: In general, how much trust and confidence do you have in the mass media – such as newspapers, T.V. and radio – when it comes to reporting the news fully, accurately, and fairly – a great deal, a fair amount, not very much, or none at all?

Trend III

Charge of Bias and Error Hurts -

“A political party is dying before our eyes – and I don’t mean the Democrats. I’m talking about the ‘mainstream media,’ which is being destroyed by the opposition (or worse, the casual disdain) of George Bush’s Republican Party; by competition from other news outlets (led by the Internet and Fox’s canny Roger Ailes); and by its own fraying journalistic standards. At the height of its power, the AMMP (the American Mainstream Media Party) helped validate the civil rights movement, end a war and oust a power-mad president. But all that is ancient history.” Howard Fineman, www.MSNBC.com, 2005

Question: In the way they have been covering the presidential race so far, do you think that news organizations are biased in favor of the Democrats, biased in favor of the Republicans, or don’t you think news organizations have shown any bias one way or the other?

Question: In general, do you think the news media is – too liberal, just about right, or too conservative?

Question: How would you describe your political thinking? Would you say you are very liberal, moderate, conservative, very conservative, or libertarian? Question: Do you favor or oppose a law in your state that would allow two men or two women to marry each other?

Question: Do you approve or disapprove of the way George W. Bush is handling his job as president? Question: Do you think each of the following is a major reason, a minor reason, or not much of a reason why there is discontent with the U.S. around the world? Question: Regardless of your feelings about the original decision to use military force, do you now believe that the U.S. will definitely succeed, probably succeed, probably fail, or definitely fail in establishing a stable democratic government in Iraq?

Trend III

Stalemate and Partisan Conflict –

“Although strengthening the Republican grip on power [the 2004 presidential election result], the outcome did not break the national stalemate reflected in election results and public opinion polls over the past decade, and it is likely to intensify rather than diminish the level of partisan conflict among leaders and ordinary Americans alike during the second Bush administration.” Gary C. Jacobson, Political Science Quarterly, Summer 2005

Audience Skepticism and Vitriol -

“The next trend facing both pollsters and journalists in the new press culture is public skepticism, perhaps even cynicism. The most dominant new feature of the last election cycle I heard was both journalists and pollsters saying they had never encountered the level of vitriol and distrust from audiences about their work.” Tom Rosenstiel, Public Opinion Quarterly, 2005

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Trend V

Blogosphere Targets MSM -

“The right blogosphere was different. The focus of its hatred was not so much on Democrats or John Kerry as it was Old Media. Instapundit.com, run by University of Tennessee law professor Glenn Reynolds, supported George W. Bush on the Iraq War and gun control, but opposed his views on abortion, same-sex marriage and embryonic stem-cell research…The three bloggers who put out powerlineblog.com and Hugh Hewitt of hughhewitt.com supported Bush pretty much down the line, but added their own emphases and concentrated much of their fire on Old Media.” Michael Barone, Almanac of American Politics, 2006

New Media has Attitude -

“If you’re a liberal, what do you need blogs for? You’ve got the New York Times.” John Hinderoker of Powerline, Time, 2004

Influence of Blogs

• Connected to media
• Local/policy expertise
• First mover in setting agenda and building a frame
• Create connection by links/blogroll
• Create momentum by swarming

2004 Presidential Election
New Media Politics

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