Political Campaigns and Political Advertising: A Media Literacy Guide

Examining political campaigns and political advertising through the analytical lens of media literacy, this well-illustrated and timely handbook guides readers through the maze of blandishments and spin that is the hallmark of the modern political campaign. It dissects the persuasive strategies embedded in the political messages we encounter every day in the media and demonstrates the importance of critical thinking in evaluating media "stories." Key concepts of media literacy are applied to political advertising in traditional media (newspapers, television, radio) and on the Internet, the new frontier of the political advertising wars. Dealing with blogs, social networking, user-generated web sites, and other electronic formats familiar to young voters, this lively introduction to the new world of political messaging appeals to readers' affinity for visual learning as well as their ability to discern messages in text. Unique in applying media literacy concepts to the political context while directly addressing students and general readers, this book not only explains but graphically demonstrates both established techniques of political "framing" and the new avenues of persuasion being pioneered in digital media. It will also interest viewers who like their political news in traditional media but unconventional formats.

Comprehensive coverage of the media as a tool of political campaigns

Accessible format intended to appeal to students who are very familiar with the visual organization of the Internet

Sidebars highlighting critical thinking/viewing questions; key definitions, facts, dates, and data; telling but offbeat and entertaining trivia

Substantial resources section, including timeline, glossary, and annotated lists of print and electronic materials

Presentation correlating with state and national curriculum standards

Baker, a media literacy consultant and author, has written this media literacy guide for general readers who want more critical insight into propaganda and spin, political advertising and the role of new media technologies in election campaigns. The author uses clear and easy-to-understand language to examine and interpret the content of media messages in print, image and multimedia forms in an objective manner. The author supplies both a timeline of the history of media in politics from 1913 to the present and a glossary of political and media terms. Annotation ©2009 Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)

. Comprehensive coverage of the media as a tool of political campaigns

. Accessible format intended to appeal to students who are very familiar with the visual organization of the Internet

. Sidebars highlighting critical thinking/viewing questions; key definitions, facts, dates, and data; telling but offbeat and entertaining trivia

. Substantial resources section, including timeline, glossary, and annotated lists of print and electronic materials

. Presentation correlating with state and national curriculum standards

Bringing media literacy tools to bear on political campaign coverage and political advertising just as the Internet explodes as a political force, this book will help students and older citizens negotiate the age of political "spin."

Examining political campaigns and political advertising through the analytical lens of media literacy, this well-illustrated and timely handbook guides readers through the maze of blandishments and spin that is the hallmark of the modern political campaign. It dissects the persuasive strategies embedded in the political messages we encounter every day in the media and demonstrates the importance of critical thinking in evaluating media stories. Key concepts of media literacy are applied to political advertising in traditional media (newspapers, television, radio) and on the Internet, the new frontier of the political advertising wars. Dealing with blogs, social networking, user-generated Web sites, and other electronic formats familiar to young voters, this lively introduction to the new world of political messaging appeals to readers' affinity for visual learning as well as their ability to discern messages in text.

Unique in applying media literacy concepts to the political context while directly addressing students and general readers, this book not only explains but graphically demonstrates both established techniques of political framing and the new avenues of persuasion being pioneered in digital media. It will also interest viewers who like their political news in traditional media but unconventional formats.

Foreword

Acknowledgments

List of Illustrations

Timeline: A History of the Media and Politics

Introduction

Chapter 1 Media Literacy: Understanding the Meaning behind the Messages

Chapter 2 Propaganda and Spin: The Power of the Image over the Word

Chapter 3 The Media Experts

Chapter 4 Analyzing Photographs

Chapter 5 And Then There Was Radio

Chapter 6 Why Television?

Chapter 7 Popular Appeals and Techniques of Persuasion in Political Advertising

Chapter 8 Analyzing Campaign Events

Chapter 9 The Role of New Media and New Technology Tools

Chapter 10 Trying to Fix the Money Problem in Elections

Glossary

Resources