Lesson 8.04 Mass Media and Campaigns

• Introduction
• Learn
• Try It
• Task

Introduction

Enduring Knowledge: Mass media, particularly television, has significantly impacted elections in the United States by changing traditional campaign structures and spending.

Complete the 8.04 Mass Media and Politics as you go through the lesson. You will submit your completed work at the end of the lesson.

By the 1950s, television took over as the prime media outlet. Most Americans suddenly had access to breaking news, in-depth reporting, and news coverage right in the comfort of their own homes. Moreover, television has had an enormous impact on which candidates "We the People" elect to represent us.

The photo shows a family gathered around the TV to watch the Kennedy-Nixon debate. How often do you think entire families, including small children, watch presidential debates together today?

Americans across the nation today do not typically sit together as a family to watch a single television event as they did in the 1960 election; however, televised debates can still have a profound impact on public opinion and candidate selection. In this lesson, we will analyze the influence of mass media on campaigns and politics in America. Specifically, we will investigate the impact of television and other electronic media on politics.

An American family watches a presidential debate between Kennedy and Nixon in 1960. View larger version Image credit: Family watches a debate between Kennedy and Nixon. IRC, 2005. [Image]. Discovery Education.

Lesson Objectives Following successful completion of this lesson, students will be able to: identify major events that reflect the impact of the media on campaigning and the election process. explain how campaign structure and spending have changed due to the impact of television. explain the effect of negative campaign ads on the opinions of voters. The above objectives correspond with the Alabama Course of Study: Government objective(s): 9, 9.2, 9.3. This lesson incorporates the following Literacy Standards: R1, R2, R4, R7, R9, W2, W4, and W8.