POSC150 Lecture Notes - Lecture 23: Pentagon Papers, Factcheck.Org
11 Apr 2018
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Document Summary
Preparing the public to evaluate something in a particular way according to specific criteria. If terrorism is the biggest problem facing america, we should evaluate our leaders based on their ability to deal with that problem. Strengthened after media showed brutality of life in the south - seeing the violence vs. reading about it. Secret government report that showed wrongdoings during vietnam war and lies leading up to it. Media convinced us that we could not win a war. Nixon"s complicity in the break-in of democratic headquarters and cover- up. Media convinced us that nixon was a crook. Media adopts a skeptical posture towards the government and other leaders. Serve as a watchdog over government actions through investigation and exposure. Keeps the public informed and our leaders honest. But also contributes towards declining trust in government and politics. Often have some discretion over the stories they cover and how they report on them.
