For this assignment you will write a 3-5 page essay on the power of the media in American politics. Use at least three of the questions below as the focus of your paper and find at least two newspaper articles that relate to the topic. Chapter 6 is a great resource for your understanding of the power of the media. I expect your paper to clearly reflect Dye’s discussion on the media, including the definitions he uses. Use the book and make direct references to Dye and your articles in your work.

I want you to use these sources for this assignment as they all provide solid, easy to understand news reports. Check with me if you feel that want to use some other source.

Los Angeles Times: www.latimes.com (Links to an external site.)
New York Times: www.nytimes.com (Links to an external site.)
Washington Post: www.washingtonpost.com (Links to an external site.)
Slate: www.slate.msn.com (Links to an external site.)
For whatever articles you use, be sure to give me full citations. You may also refer to any part of the Dye textbook to help you write a stronger paper.

How to proceed: Pick three or more of these questions as the basis of your essay:

What are two sources of the media’s power?
According to Dye, what are the factors that shape the politics of media?
What role does the mass media play in today’s elections?
Discuss what ‘freedom of the press’ means in our society.
What effects do the media have on public opinion and political behavior?
I expect you to use the textbook and two or more news articles to answer these questions.