Lesson on Tuesday, January 16, 2018

Aim:  How was the evolution of the mass media in the United States impacted the deliverance of news? How has privately owned mass media and government regulation impacted the media?

Bell Ringer: Journal 32 - How might the content and quality of news accessed on a mobile device differ from that of news accessed in a newspaper or on television? Do you think the democratic process will suffer or be enhanced as more and more people begin to get their news on mobile devices? p. 152. (10 min)

Objectives:

6.1 Trace the evolution of the mass media in the United States and evaluate the the impact of new technologies on journalism. 

6.2 Evaluate the effect of privately owned mass media on the quality of political communication in the United States. 

6.3 Follow the evolution of government regulation of the media and identify the challenges that new media technologies present to existing regulations. 

Agenda: (slides 4-22)

1. Describe the two means of communication in the mass media.

2. Review all forms of mass media in the U.S.: newspapers, magazines, radio, television, the Internet.

3. AP Gov 5 Minute Review: The Mass Media

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y-JlcZCh0TY (5 min)

4. Let's discuss: based on your experience, do you think the overall media environment in the United States is systematically biased? If so, in what ways? What is media bias? In a mass democracy such as the United States, what would we want the media’s coverage of politics to look like? (5 min)

5. Journal 33 - Give three examples of how newspapers and magazines are struggling to be profitable in an era of free news on the Internet. (10 min)

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6. Create a concept map on one of the following terms in 6.2 and 6.3: Newsworthiness, market-driven journalism, infotainment, FCC (Federal Communications Commission), Federal Radio Act of 1927, Federal Commissions Act of 1934, Telecommunications Act of 1996, Freedom of the Press, Fairness Doctrine, Equal Opportunities Rule, Reasonable Access Rule. (rest of class)

Be ready to present your concept map tomorrow.

Home Learning:

1. AP Gov: Everything to Know About the Mass Media: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u92WELhWkoE (12 min)

2. FCC & Net Neutrality: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ayl7g3ZyEAs (7 min)

3. Journal 34 - Discuss the FCC in terms of its composition, the appointment process for its members, and its purpose.

4. Complete 6.2 and 6.3 concept map.