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Media Source Analysis and Reflection

The sources that guide students understanding on ​how news ​media and communication outlets influence the dissemination of political information.

Guiding Questions 

  • What is the media?
  • How have the ways citizens acquire information about government changed over time?
  • What role do news media play in politics​ in terms of affecting election outcomes​?

Objectives 

  • I can analyze how different ​news ​media and communication outlets influence the dissemination of political information.
  • I can evaluate the impact of media on public political engagement and decision-making.


Source One

Analysis Questions:

  • Which role(s) of the media is the cartoon addressing? What details support your answer?
  • What is the artist’s message when it comes to the media fulfilling the role(s?) in Question 1? What details support your answer?
  • Based on your answers to Questions 1 and 2, how might this affect the way(s) citizens acquire information?


Source Two

Sourcing context– The Freedom of Information Act, originally signed into law in 1966 and amended since, is a way to keep the citizens informed about their government. Federal agencies must provide requested information, unless it is protected by personal privacy, national security, or law enforcement exemptions.

From the National​ Archives Freedom of Information Act Reference Guide:​​     ​

“The Freedom of Information Act, or FOIA, provides any person with the statutory right to request information from executive branch agencies of the U.S. Government. This right of access is subject to nine statutory FOIA exemptions, which provide agencies the authority to withhold records in whole or in part… The FOIA does not apply to records of the Congress and legislative branch agencies, records of the federal courts and judicial branch agencies… All states have their own statutes governing public access to state and local government records.”

 

From Associated Press.org Freedom of Information and Access​: ​

“It’s a core component of journalism in a democracy: making sure the public gets the information that it has a right to know…

We are committed to this principle and are a leading and aggressive advocate of the importance of transparency and accountability in government…

Along with our in-house counsel, our reporters and editors take three key actions around Freedom of Information:

  • Assert relevant rights under federal and state constitutions and Freedom of Information laws to obtain access to news—going to court, if necessary, to enforce those rights.
  • Monitor compliance by government agencies and officials with FOI laws and report infractions and shortcomings.
  • Defend the statutory and constitutional rights of journalists to do their work free of government interference or intrusion.”

Analysis Questions:

  1. The FOIA states any person can request information​. W​hy then​     ​might the Associated Press say the media is necessary?
  2. According to the Associated Press, what role(s) ​do ​they fulfill? What details support your answer?
  3. How does the FOIA and journalists’ use of it enable citizens to participate in politics more readily and responsibly?


Source Three  

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​Analysis Questions

  • According to the graph, what form of media do people surveyed use most to acquire information?
  • How might the media use this information when making decisions about how to provide information to citizens?
  • How might politicians use this information when trying to reach the public?