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Informing Democracy: The Role of Media in Shaping American Policy and Public Opinion

Photo courtesy of Susan Rasky

Susan Rasky Date: Monday, 11 December 2006 Time: 9:00 a.m. EST (1400 GMT) View Webchat Transcript

The media plays a critical role in both the spread of information and the maintenance of democracy in the United States. They are responsible for communication between citizens and the government, and have a great influence on the opinions and perceptions of the American public. Please join the Webchat "Informing Democracy: The Role of Media in Shaping American Policy and Public Opinion" with Professor Susan Rasky of the University of California at Berkeley School of Journalism to discuss the function and importance of the media in the United States.

Guest Biography: Susan Rasky is a senior lecturer at the University of California at Berkeley Graduate School of Journalism. She formerly worked as the congressional correspondent for the New York Times. A winner of a George Polk Award for National Reporting, Rasky began her career in Washington covering economic policy for the Bureau of National Affairs Inc. and later reported for the Reuters news agency. Rasky also was a columnist and contributing editor for the California Journal as well as a frequent political commentator for the Los Angeles Times, the Sacramento Bee and National Public Radio. She established and supervises the journalism school's California News Service, which gives students experience covering government and politics for news organizations throughout the country. Rasky received her bachelor's degree in history from the University of California at Berkeley and holds a master's degree in economic history from the London School of Economics.