Scorekeeper, Watchdog and Gatekeeper in the Media

Scorekeeping in the Media

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/11/03/AR2010110304547.html  

This article explains how the media is a scorekeeper. The article is showing the outcome of the electoral process in each state election. The media defines scorekeeper as being the resource that people use to find out who won an election. The article is posting different state elections, giving information to Washington Post viewers as to who won in different states.

Watchdog in the Media

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/11/15/AR2010111507311.html

This article provides a good example of the media being a watchdog. The watchdog exposes scandals and supplies the public with information that could influence them. In this article, the media is exposing downfall in Prince George’s Country Police Department. The arresting of nine police officers that were involved with guns and drugs shows that the police weren’t following the law that they enforce. This gives the Police Department a bad image and reputation. 

Gatekeeping in the Media

http://www.nytimes.com/2010/11/17/world/middleeast/17israel.html?_r=1&ref=world

The media shows gatekeeper by informing the public of an issue that most likely wouldn’t have been established in the United States. In this article, Israel is attempting to bring more security guidelines for commercial airplanes flying into Israel. The United States wouldn’t have been informed on this issue because Israel is across the ocean. Although this piece doesn’t affect us, it’s important because it is about the world’s safety and how to improve it.