American news media–specifically, political and national news media.
Select several (at least two) major television and/or print media outlets in the United States.
Research their corporate ownership, political party connections, ideology, target audience, and their notable writers, anchors, reporters and commentators and any political leanings you observe. Share your findings. Be specific.
Explain the reputation of the news entities selected historically, compared to today.
Describe the unique qualities of each major outlet you have selected and what distinguishes them from one another (or, in some cases, how they are similar to and mirror one another). Compare and contrast.
Cover the following:
What role did the national news media play in the presidential election of 2020?
Provide several (at least two) recent examples of significant political events and happenings, of the past few months, and how they have been covered by the media.
With 2020 election and related events, do you see differences in coverage and frequency of coverage among the news outlets you have selected for this assignment? Is coverage unbiased or slanted in one direction? Explain.
Important: After conducting your research, do you believe that there exists a media class or a “media elite” in America? What does this mean, and why or why not? What are “framing, “priming,” and policy agenda-setting? Explain what each of these terms means, including examples when helpful.
Then, briefly mention how technology and new media fit into the picture: What purposes does news available on the internet serve? Is access to new media sources important to a nation’s citizens? Why?
Finally, in your concluding thoughts, include: What are a few key things learned from your research for this assignment?
