Blame It On C-Span? The Mass Media and Public Approval of Congress

Event Details

Timothy Prinz, a UVA professor gives a lecture on the media?s role in the public approval of Congress. Prinz traces the public?s low approval rating of congress to its tendency to gridlock, failure to address fundamental policy issues, and inability to respond rapidly to issues. Furthermore, Prinz argues, the negative representation of Congress in the media adds to the general feeling of the public?s mistrust and criticism of it. In defense of Congress he argues that Congress has no press secretary to manage the legislative branch?s public relations. Moreover, the sheer magnitude and complexity of Congress makes it an easy target. During the questioning session he discusses the negative press further, the retirement of old congressmen and the ascendance of new ones, the minority parties voice, the public?s lack on knowledge on congressional procedure, and the effect of polling on politics.