The Mass Media and an Enlightened Public

The freedom of the press was included in the First Amendment to guarantee citizens’ access to news and information. Americans largely rely on the mass media to learn about what is going on in government and in the wider world.

Throughout American history, the public’s access to objective reporting has been threatened by partisan bias in the press, sensationalism, and attempts by the government to regulate the media. Additionally, political campaigns and politicians have long attempted to circumvent and control media coverage. And, in the contemporary era, new trends such as narrow casting and media consolidation are seen by some as threats to the public’s ability to become informed. Your essay must contain the following information:

What about today’s media environment do you believe is the greatest obstacle to an enlightened public?

• Why?
• Provide a definition of this obstacle.
• Use references from the text.
• Provide two (2) recent examples of this threat.

• Describe how it impeded the public from becoming informed.

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