Why Do We Have Political Power

Having served nearly thirty years at CBS News, Mr. Goldberg had earned a reputation as one of the most original writers and thinkers in broadcast journalism. However, when he observed his own industry, he realized the liberal media had completely missed their mission to give honest news. After years of sharing his observations and promoting more balanced reportings, Goldberg soon realized that no one listened because they believed they were doing the right thing. The liberal bias continued, therefore Bernard Goldberg decided to take the situation into his own hands and expose the distortion of the media himself. Goldberg’s breathtaking and shocking best seller book, Bias, reveals the close-mindedness of the news culture and their mission to entertain rather than share facts.

Consequently, the political sphere is now being colonised by the media, and politics has begun re-orientating itself to satisfy the logic of media organisations (Meyer, 2002, p. 71). Therefore, the media are active participants in the policymaking process and the ability to stimulate change or maintain the status quo depends on their choice of subject or policy issue and how they frame it. Active investigative reporting attempts to shape policy outcomes, but this does not necessarily mean that it always represents the most successful approach for gaining policy changes (Spitzer, 1993, p. 7). In fact, sometimes passive, straight reporting can have a greater influence on policy choices. When this occurs, media independence is largely bypassed, as the news generated depends solely on the information released (as public relations material) from legitimate news sources. For example, in the United States, White House staff routinely make ‘leaks’ - expressively to influence policy decisions (Davis, 1992, p. 143; Robinson, 2001, p. 948). Robinson noted that journalists regard “leaks… as indispensable to their work” and that they are aware of their use by officials in return for scoops (2001, p. 949).

The events of 911 changed America culturally in multiple ways. It also brought American people in the light of a new threat, terrorism. This changed America’s outlook drastic. On September, 11, 2001,multiple Al Qaeda terrorists boarded three passenger planes and then hijacked the planes and carried out suicide attacks against the World Trade Center in New York City and the Pentagon in Washington, DC., killing everyone on board the planes and nearly 3,000 people on the ground. A fourth plane crashed into a Pennsylvania field, after passengers and crew attempted to take control from the hijackers. These attacks were symbolic attacks against the United States and its people. Not only had it been a psychological attack, it was the first attack in a long time that it happened on US soil. The terrorists were also making symbolic attacks

The media in the United States of America has grown on a massive scale in the form of the Liberal Model. This of course entails market-dominated practices and professionalization in journalism in all adequate media aspects. The First Amendment has provided the American citizens with the freedom of speech ever since it was established. This privilege is very evident in today’s society as news media on all sides of the political spectrum gets mass amounts of coverage throughout the country. The U.S. observes never-ending debates going on in the political atmosphere everyday because of the countless issues occurring in the country including the management of the economy, handling of taxes, and many more. Although it is nearly impossible for the media to please everyone in society as a

The terror attacks on September 11, 2001 at the Twin Towers in New York City and the Pentagon in Washington D.C. are remembered as America’s largest tragedy; after all, 3,000 people were killed in these attacks (Combs and Slann). A sense of security and confidence had vanished. However, what is not mentioned in the news articles, TV headlines, and radio chats on the anniversary of 9/11 is the large impact these attacks made on the American psyche. It is not that this outcome was of lesser importance, but it was one of the unnoticed, since all Americans underwent this change. Out of everything that came out of 9/11, this was well needed. Americans had been thinking the same thing about their country for a long time and needed to see that

Should the media play a role in American democracy? The media has a big role in informing people about what is going on in the world. I believe that the media shouldn’t play a role in American democracy. The media has the power to influence voters and candidates, but that is dangerous. If the media were to still play a role in American democracy, it would be a limited one.

Though journalists main goal is to expose the whole truth, to do this they must be open on their methods of acquiring information. With the use of transparency in news articles, the journalists do just this. One major point in the

Well, we will be happy to go down the list and tally all the courageous things Barack

The invention of the television has had an impact on all aspects of American's lives. It has affected how we work, interact with others, and our foreign relations. One part of American society that it has especially affected is presidential elections. Television has impacted who is elected and why they were elected. Since the 1960's television has served as a link between the American public and presidential elections that allows the candidate to appear more human and accountable for their actions; consequently this has made television a positive influence on presidential elections. But it has also had a negative affect on elections, making presidential candidates seem like celebrities at times and making it easier to publicize mistakes

Nowadays journalists have the responsibility to report facts as accurately, objectively, and disinterestedly as is humanly possible. ‘’The, honest, self-disciplined, well-trained reporter seeks to be a propagandist for nothing but the truth’’ (Casey, 1944b).

One of the greatest revolutions in the twentieth century was not political in nature, however, it aided in many different political revolutions. This revolution was the communications revolution. The twentieth century has experienced one of the greatest changes in means of communication including technologies such as radio, motion pictures, the Internet, advanced communications and most importantly the television. Sadly, political leaders and the government to convince or persuade the masses that their ideas supercede those of others have utilized these technologies.

"Freedom of the press is guaranteed only to those who own one." This quote by A.J. Liebling illustrates the reality of where the media stands in today's society. Over the past twenty years there has been an increase in power throughout the media with regard to politics. The media's original purpose was to inform the public of the relevant events that occurred around the world. The job of the media is to search out the truth and relay that news to the people. The media has the power to inform the people but often times the stories given to the public are distorted for one reason or another. Using slant and sensationalism, the media has begun to shape our views in society and the process by which

“Journalism scholars, critics, and the public continue to debate the wisdom of using unnamed sourcing in news reports. Proponents argue that granting sources anonymity is necessary to ensure the free flow of information that otherwise would go unreported. Critics of the practice charge that journalists too readily grant anonymity and thus risk undermining media credibility.” (Duffy).

Media plays a significant role in controlling societies thoughts, actions and beliefs through complex messages and conventions. From the moment we’re able to see, think and understand, we interpret these messages and conventions instinctively. These in tern quite literally shape the way we think, view or perceive stereotypes– or in other words “contextualize” us. An example of this is evident in Figure 1, which depicts two infant males, one Caucasian and one with an assumed African heritage. There are a number obvious differences, the Caucasian child has red cheeks and golden locks whilst it’s clear that the African child’s skin tone has been darkened whilst his

People now a day’s try to cover up the truth about things that are not so desirable, so that’s why the world needs reporters. People are needed that are willing to dig underneath all the lies to find the truth. Luckily, I have been gifted with a moral shovel that helps me sift through the falsities. It’s in reporter’s job description to write a lot and I enjoy writing. A lot of their time is also spent on the internet or in the library researching a topic they will be reporting on. They have