Media as a platform

• To inform citizens - serves as society’s messenger

• Journalism as an observation   Media as an active actor

• Guarantor of political/democratic accountability/representation

• Observation + Subjective journalism   In an ideal world: Media should work as a watchdog

• Journalists practice their profession on behalf of democracy

• They are independent servants of (political) truth and the public interest

• Increasing the transparency of politics   Investigating journalism

• Journalists devote themselves to uncovering serious cases of corruption, political problems

• Aim to expose wrongdoing and deceit in public office

• To act as a key mechanism of public accountability in a democracy   In a cynical world: Lapdog for power-hungry politicians

• Investigating journalism affected by “churnalism” and celebrity news

• Churnalism: journalists reproduce as ‘news’ the material provided by press and PR agencies

• Lapdog: involuntary (churnalism: lack of resources) or voluntary (serve ideological interests)

• Context-specific: political system, the form of the media (new media)

• Impact of changing social attitudes, increasing competition, dramatic technological changes   Superficial reporting? Media bring a superficial view of important political and policy issues = information society has not brought about an “informed society“   Spin doctors

• Sell politicians’ brand to the media: to make sure that the coverage receives is the coverage they want

• Assumption: not just aiding the production of political news but making the news

• Sometimes used to discredit or mystify the work of political public relations experts   Political power and power over the media

• Journalists-politicians relationship: Competitive symbiosis

• The more powerful leaders have the best information to “sell” = Political power can usually be translated into power over the news media

• The people who hold the most powers are not just politicians, but movements, individuals, organizations, and even countries   Incumbency bonus

• Do powerful political elites get more coverage?

• The more powerful political position one holds, the more media attention one receives

• Parties and politicians in government have more media coverage than those of the opposition

• Executives announce what and why they do what they do – press releases, press conferences - and journalists report

• Able to hire spin doctors

• The bonus is also in relation to substantive policy issues   Incumbency bonus: why?

• Usually attributed to news criteria reflecting political power

• BUT: Green Pedersen, Mortensen, Thesen (2015): the interplay between journalistic norms and political context

• Outside election campaigns: “watchdog” norm = focus on societal problems, emphasis on government

• Election campaigns: impartial journalism norms = a more balanced coverage, challengers increase the presence

• So maybe not such an electoral asset after all?

• Again BUT: depends on the political context, e.g., political system   Weaker political actors: back door and side door

• Challengers

• Media preference for a conflict, favorable for populists

• Trying to maintain balance: opposition parties

• Do something interesting; for instance, political protests  (form, size: e.g. getting naked in the protests with the big crowd)

• Law and order framing

• Side door: civil disobedience

• Cumulative inequality   Disproportionate attention to PRR

• Populists' radical right often enjoy media attention (Chances of higher voting rate?)

• The media has become accommodative toward PRR parties

• Concerning because the media play important role in the rise and spread of populism   New media: a game-changer?

• Does new media change who holds political power over media?

• Political movements and new media

• A small fraction of major news comes from the blogosphere – many actors, limited media

• Social media helpful for holders of power

• It’s effective when the politicians already have power. (Easily to get viral)