Author Question: Compare and contrast the following three forms of communication between politicians and the media: ... (Read 63 times)

ashley · **on:** Jul 10, 2018

Compare and contrast the following three forms of communication between politicians and the media: press release, press briefing, press conference. How does the power shift between the politician and the media in each case?

What will be an ideal response?

Question 2

Describe the media's traditional watchdog role. Why did the Framers think this role is important for democracy? Do contemporary Americans continue to value the watchdog role of the media?

What will be an ideal response?

pratush dev · **Reply #1 on:** Jul 10, 2018

Answer to Question 1

Answer: An ideal response will:
1. Explain that a press release is a written document with an official comment or position.
2. Explain how a press briefing (when reporters may engage in a heavily restricted question session fielded by the press secretary) differs from a press conference (when reporters have the ability to ask a wide range of questions over multiple topics directly to the elected official).
3. Note that in a press release, it is the politician who controls the information presented, and in a press briefing, the politician tries to retain control by limiting the range of questions. In a press conference, the media have the most control, as they have the power to ask a wide range of questions over a breadth of topics. In a press conference, as in other venues, the media struggle to get answers and politicians struggle to retain control of their messages.

Answer to Question 2

Answer: An ideal response will:
1. Describe watchdog journalism as the idea that the media have an obligation to guard the public interest against abuses of power and corruption by the government.
2. Note that the Framers agreed that a free press was necessary to monitor government and ensure the continuation of a democratic society and that 58 percent of Americans continue to believe that press scrutiny keeps political leaders from wrongdoing.