The Role of the Media and Propaganda

American Government Drill 3-1 (Complete Answers!!)

1. If you were a Presidential candidate which states would you focus your campaign on?

2. What is the occasional “bad thing” that happens because of the Electoral College?

3. Describe the proportional plan reform idea of the Electoral College.

Objective: Students will be able to… identify propaganda techniques in order to explain the role media plays in elections.

Roles of the Media in Presidential Politics

WATCHDOG

GATEKEEPER

SCOREKEEPER

Newsweek magazine runs an article on education in the United States and why changes need to be made.

Which role of the media do you think Newsweek undertaking?a. Gatekeeperb. Watchdogc. Scorekeeperd. Competition

How does this relate to government?

Just as companies make promises to sell their product, politicians make promises to sell themselves as the best candidate for office.

Campaign ads, like the ads you see in magazines, use PROPAGANDA to sell the candidate.

PropagandaWhat is propaganda?

The use of ideas or information that convey a message and INFLUENCE people’s thinking.

TestimonialPolitical candidates seek endorsements from famous people.

Propaganda TechniquesBandwagon: Appeals to people’s desire to do what their friend and neighbors are doing.

“America’s teachers are voting for Mrs. Winter you should too”Card-stacking: Uses facts that support only one side of an issue or candidate look good.A politician would offer only evidence to support their case with any

other opponents, or those who might disagree not preset.“Time after time, my opponent voted against legislation that would

have supported new jobs in our community.”

Propaganda TechniquesGlittering Generalities:

Uses powerful or vague words that sound good but have no meaning. Usually first type of ad and is designed to introduce a candidate to the voters Use of words that embody ideals, such as dignity, freedom, fame, integrity, justice, love and respect.

“Improving America”

“Change We Need”

“Courage”

“Freedom”

“Hope”

Propaganda TechniquesName-calling/ Labeling: Using unpleasant labels or descriptions to harm a candidate or their campaign. Often called “Attack Ads” Wants to create a negative impression of opponent to voters

“Mrs. Winter is a reckless spender”“Mrs. Winter is un-American”

Propaganda TechniquesPlain Folks: An attempt by a candidate to appeal to the average voter as just one of the everyday people. They stress that they understand the stress of everyday citizens

If campaigning in Maryland, go and eat crabs at a local restaurant.If in Wisconsin wear a cheese hat and going to a local factory.

Propaganda TechniquesTransfer: Use of patriotic and popular symbols to create a positive or negative image for a candidate.

Positive: Ads that feature pleasant music, beautiful outdoor countryside, happy families.

Negative: Using black and white photos while yours are in color, shocking images like an oil spill, home foreclosures, etc.

Media and Presidential Campaigns

“Horse-Race Coverage” – Focuses on winners and losers and who's ahead. Media declares a candidate who wins an early primary, even with a small margin as the front runner.

Only front runners are able to attract millions of dollars in loans and campaigning contributions.

By the time nominating convention starts candidates are known and allows party’s to produce huge made for television productions.