An Analysis of Whether Media Effects Politics

There is probably no greater influence on the American society than the media. Because of it, we have witnessed countless historical events: Inaugurations of presidents; mans first steps on the moon; the assassination of John F. Kennedy; we even witnessed the second plane crashing into the World Trade Tower on September 11. Americans watch TV in the morning to receive the daily news. They watch it while they eat, and they watch it before they go to bed, but does television and the media actually have an affect on political elections?

The media has an arguable hold on the politics of this nation. Many attribute Kennedys victory in the close election of 1960 to the presentation he made in two televised debates in the final months of his campaign. The media has the ability to control the way a nation can think as well as the way a nation can vote. Most Americans hold dear the precious first amendment right of free speech, but with that right comes certain obligations.

Since there is an ever increasing number of media coverage in politics today, the person running for office has to do and say things that look good on television in order to win. Years ago, the only way people could find out about candidates and the issues they stood for was by reading a newspaper or listening to the radio. These are forms of media, but since the invention of the television it seems that there are more broadcasters shoving their opinions into peoples minds.

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With almost all American homes owning at least one television, a candidate must possess a good personality, plans, and ideas. Now, more than ever, Americans place excessive importance on appearance. This means that a candidate has to appear successful, competent, and confident. Candidates have to appeal to the public as much as possible, and they have to appear comfortable on camera. However, a candidates appearance is not the only thing which plays a major role in winning an election.

More than anything else, the media shapes public opinion in America. News broadcasts show the side of the story they want people to know and believe, and they do the same type of thing when it comes to politics. When you are watching the news, the opinion you come away with is most likely the one the station or the program wants you to believe. The Media shows events and sets up dialogues in particular ways in order to make a person think something was said one way, when it may have been meant to be taken another way. To sum it up, most Americans believe what they are told, and the media takes advantage of that.

Now, more than ever, the media influences and impacts almost every aspect of American lives. They tell us what is important, who should run in an election, how a candidate should appear to the public, and even what to think about an issue. With there being so many ways to get information today, we are influenced to believe what we are told and not to question it. In some ways the media influences politics in a good way. Most of the time the media presents a story in such a way that it makes the candidate look like he has some idea of what he is running for. The media exercises too much power in America, and they should allow the public to make their own opinion about a candidate.

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