Every four years the American people are bombarded with an array of political advertising. Media companies, i.e. networks, are intricate businesses that need to make money to survive. During next two months millions of dollars will be spent on political advertising. Some people would agree that FOX News is more of a conservative network, where as CNN leans towards liberal and big networks like these will profit significantly over the next two months. This in turn could influence how they might affect the current political structure.
According to Lemann, Arthur Bentley believes, “anyone who comes into public life claiming not to have an interest is either deluded or deceitful.” In short, I believe Bentley is stating that, everyone has their own agenda. The owners of these media corporations most likely have their own political views, which can influence the role that an “individual” media corporations plays in the political structure in the U.S. Money talks and politicians have the money to influence the media/press to create their own ideal political structure.
Online I listened to a speech given at the University of North Carolina, by Bill Schneider, CNN senior political analyst, in his speech he suggests, that political analysts play a big role in how the media affects the political structure in this country. According to Schneider, “political analysts show what the “times” and the American people really want or what they are missing.” In other words, political analysts show politicians, polls & statistics relating to what the American people want to see in their individual campaigns. In turn they help shape the political structure.
No matter which way you look at the political structure in the U.S. some how the press/media plays a role in shaping the opinions of millions of Americans and no matter who you are everyday you are affected by the opinions of varies media outlets.
Link referenced: http://www.jomc.unc.edu/schneider.com
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1 comment:
Good post.
Of course, one would like to ask Mr. Schneider how analysts maintain a tether to “the people.” The stereotype is that politicians are removed from common life and that media analysts are far more in touch with “what the people think” because of their systematic polling techniques.
Politicians launch polls as well, and though polls are indeed better than nothing, it still seems as though a group of media practitioners (as a special interest?) are poised to SET rather than convey the “will of the people” to Washington.
Media are unquestionably powerful, and I think you illustrate this well (though an example couldn’t hurt). But as they’ve become an increasingly integral part of the power structure, who exists to speak truth to their power?
Or are they somehow incorruptible?
Anyway, thoughts to consider. You did have a couple of grammatical typos and you should work on identifying yourself and your sources a bit more clearly. Also, try to avoid the “Some people would agree” approach unless you have a particular group to reference or link to. That’s just a shoddy justification technique that cable news programs have exploited in recent years to substitute a faceless “some people” for their own voice or to avoid having to do the research needed to attribute the statement to some external source.
If YOU think that, then just say so. If not, explain who does.
Keep at it.
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