Elections, Parties, and Pressure Groups
Session 13: Media Role in Setting Public Agenda

Materials

• Political Process Vocabulary List (Attachment A)
• Textbook

Instructional Activities

1. Write the day's vocabulary words on an overhead or on the board (see Attachment A). Briefly discuss their meanings.
   
   
2. Explain that the media plays a very important role in setting the public agenda. It informs policymakers and influences public policy by:
   
   •   Focusing public attention on selected issues - By running articles in a newspaper or airing stories on TV, the mass media is able to create interest in topics where little or none previously existed. (NOTE: Give examples of recent examples from the news.)
   •   Offering a forum in which opposing viewpoints are communicated - The editorial section of a newspaper, a televised debate, or a newsmagazine on television may provide candidates (or experts) a way to present opposing views.
   •    Holding government officials accountable to the public - The mass media follows office holders to make sure they keep their promises. They also inform voters about actions of the office holder they might not otherwise know about.
   
   
3. Explain that government officials use the media to communicate with the public.
   
   
4. Ask students to give examples of each of these types of actions by the mass media.