Author Question: How does the fact that American media outlets tend to be owned by entities in the private ... (Read 58 times)

maychende · **on:** Jul 9, 2018

How does the fact that American media outlets tend to be owned by entities in the private sectorrather than by the governmentinfluence political coverage?

What will be an ideal response?

Question 2

On what charges was Judith Miller of the New York Times indicted in the Valerie Plame case? What was the outcome? Do you believe there is a need for legislation that protects journalists in such situations? Why or why not?

What will be an ideal response?

CourtneyCNorton · **Reply #1 on:** Jul 9, 2018

Answer to Question 1

An ideal response will:
1, Explain that the large majority of the American media is owned by private companies, in contrast to many other democracies where there is government ownership of some if not most of the major media outlets.
2, Discuss how private ownership of the media means that the media are free to be more critical of the government and government policies because there are relatively few restrictions on the American media by the government. Examples include the New York Times publication of the Pentagon Papers and the failed attempt by the Nixon administration to exercise prior restraint.

Answer to Question 2

An ideal response will:
1, Explain that Judith Miller was indicted for refusing to reveal the name of her source during a grand jury investigation of the Valerie Plame case, noting that she served 85 days in jail until her source released her to reveal his name.
2, Explain why national shield laws are or are not needed to protect journalists, drawing upon the discussion in the book of the positive and negative aspects of shield laws.