Final answer:
There is more media coverage of the president due to their symbolic role and visibility as the single executive, while Congress is less affected by the media, as its workings involve many members and complex processes that are less compelling for the public.
Step-by-step explanation:
The reason there is more coverage of the president than of Congress or the courts is multifaceted. Firstly, the media tends to focus on the president due to their role as the single executive and the symbolic figurehead of the nation, leading to a 'single executive image' that attracts attention during both ceremonial events and crises. Coverage of the president often highlights their personality and their ability to lead, rather than diving into the intricate policies they may be working on. Presidents such as Obama and Trump had to make deliberate efforts to direct media focus towards their respective policies, like the Affordable Care Act or Supreme Court nominations.
When reporting on the government, the press more frequently focuses on what the president does rather than the actual policies of the presidency. On the other hand, Congress, although an equally critical part of the government, is less directly affected by media coverage, mainly because it largely involves the deliberation and processes by a large number of members, which is less captivating for audiences as compared to executive actions by the president. The media's choice of topics to cover can influence what the president deems important to voters, which in turn could affect the agenda set by the presidency, thereby illustrating the stronger agenda-setting effect on the president.
Stories about Congress and the federal judiciary tend to gain traction when they intersect with issues of wide public interest, like education reform, child and elder abuse or high-profile Supreme Court appointments. But generally, the intricate legislative processes and less visible judiciary actions fail to capture the same level of public and media attention as the presidency. Coverage effects on society, therefore, tend to be shaped by the media's gravitation towards the singular, more 'newsworthy' figure of the president over the complex workings of Congress or the judiciary.