high-tech politics

A politics in which the behavior of citizens and policymakers, as well as the political agenda itself, is increasingly shaped by technology.

mass media

Television, radio, newspapers, magazines, the Internet, and other means of popular communication.

media event

Events purposely staged for the media that nonetheless look spontaneous.

press conferences

Meetings of public officials with reporters.

investigative journalism

The use of detective-like reporting methods to unearth scandals.

print media

Newspapers and magazines

broadcast media

Television and radio

chains

Massive media conglomerates that control newspapers

narrowcasting

Media programming on TV or the Internet that is focused on one topic and aimed at a particular audience

beats

Specific locations from which news frequently emanates, such as Congress or the White House.

trial balloons

An international news leak for the purpose of assessing the political reaction

sound bites

Short video clips of approximately 15 seconds; typically all that is shown from a politician's speech or activities on the nightly television news.

talking head

A shot of a person's face talking directly to the camera

policy agenda

The issues that attract the serious attention of public officials and other people actively involved in politics at the time.

policy entrepreneurs

People who invest their political "capital" in an issue.