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American Democracy, American Media

Exercise 6
AMERICAN DEMOCRACY, AMERICAN MEDIA

The media's role in American democracy is to provide the public with sufficient information about current political issues. These issues include giving the public a clear picture of candidates running for public offices, providing information about political policies, and making sure that politicians conduct business ethically and in the public's best interest. Much to the chagrin of government officials, this all must be done free from government interference. There are different venues, some of which are more valuable than others, in which the news media can provide this information. In addition to providing this information, the media must also give it in such a way that the message is not trying to persuade the public to feel one way or another about the issue being reported, which is unfortunately not always the case. Although the news is not always reported in a neutral fashion, there are enough conflicting views about the different topics being covered that the public does have opportunity to listen to both sides and form their own opinion of what is happening in the political world.
The most influential form of news media at the current time is television news. Television news takes two main forms, from the network news that focuses on events and issues in the viewers' local area, to cable news which focuses on politics at a national level. Both of these forms of news have upsides and downsides. Because television is the easiest way to get information, it "reaches more Americans than any other single news source." Upsides of local network broadcasts include the news being tailored to what individuals in that area may deem as more important or relevant because the events are happening in their area. The downside to this is that not enough time may be spent on National issues. Cable news is afforded the luxury of being able to "criticize and question" the statements and actions of politicians....