Agenda setting
The media’s ability to choose which issues or topics get attention.
Beat
The coverage area assigned to journalists for news or stories.
Citizen journalism
Video and print news posted to the internet or social media by citizens rather than the news media.
Cultivation theory
The idea the media affect a citizen’s worldview through the information presented.
Digital paywall
The need for a paid subscription to access published online material.
Equal-time rule
An FCC policy that all candidates running for office must be given the same radio and television airtime opportunities.
Fairness doctrine
A 1949 Federal Communications Commission (FCC) policy, now defunct, that required holders of broadcast licenses to controversial issues in a balanced manner.
Framing
The process of giving a news story a specific context or background.
Freedom of Information Act (FOIA)
A federal statute that requires public agencies to provide certain types of information requested by citizens.
Hypodermic theory
The idea that information is placed on a citizen’s brain and accepted.
Indecency regulations
Laws that limit indecent and obscene material on public airwaves.
Libel
Printed information about a person or organization that is not true and harms the reputation of the person or organization.
Mass media
The collection of all media forms that communicate information to the general public.
Minimal effects theory
The idea that the media have little effect on citizens.
Muckraking
News coverage focusing on exposing corrupt business and government practices.
Party press era
Period during the 1780s in which newspaper content was biased by political partisanship.
Priming
The process of predisposing readers or viewers to think a particular way.
Prior restraint
A government actions that stops someone from doing something before they are able to do it.
Public relations
Biased communication intended to improve the the image of people, companies, or organizations.
Reporter’s privilege
The right of a journalist to keep a source confidential.
Slander
Spoken information about a person or organization that is not true and harms the reputation of the person or organization.
Soft news
News presented in an entertaining style.
Sunshine laws
Laws that require government documents and proceedings to be made public.
Yellow journalism
Sensationalized coverage of scandals and human interest stories.
