Ronald Reagan's Use Of Mass Media

Throughout the 1950s and 1960s, television quickly emerged into a popular and greatly desired entertainment system in America. Although expensive, the television was still found in over fifty million American homes. Socially, the television not only embellished what the time period believed to be the “ideal” family, but the new technology also helped pull women closer to a world vacant of sexism and stereotypes, while also drawing African Americans closer to a society without racism, segregation, and prejudice. As well as social benefits, the television substantially impacted the world of politics by airing the platforms of political candidates and broadcasting important news concerning America. Additionally, the fields of advertising and

The introduction of television casted a wave of change in the lives of the American public. In Gary Edgerton’s The Columbia History of American Television, he described the uprising of television, “involved the most extensive and ballyhooed series of public relations events ever staged around any mass medium in American history. “ (Edgerton, p.1) The first presentation of television played a pivotal role on how the American public adopted the new medium of technology and communication. I will explore the grand manner of how television was presented to the American public during the early years by the direction of David Sarnoff, and televised special of the 1939 World’s fair. In addition, how this presentation of television generated the acceptation

“The most terrifying words in the English language are: I'm from the government and I'm here to help” (Reagan). Reagan believed in giving more power to the people and less to the government. Both of these presidents aren’t afraid to speak their minds. Former president, Ronald Reagan, and future president Donald Trump are similar and different because of their background, popularity before running for office and their ability to communicate to the people.

As stated in an article from Newsmakers, Ronald Reagan was known as “the Great Communicator” because he was able to clearly speak to the public due to his unusual experiences before presidency (Newsmakers). Every president of the United States has a unique story, but Reagan possessed many remarkable characteristics. Today, many people recognize Reagan as a former president, but few know about the struggles he faced and his success before presidency; his political party transition, handling economic fluctuation, and his attitude throughout his terms in office made him an unforgettable political figure.

After rising to the presidency in the beginning of the Twentieth century, Theodore Roosevelt became the first American president to devote his presidency to galvanizing public opinion. When Roosevelt took office, he did not have the benefit of being able to utilize his successors’ tools such as speechwriters utilized by Warren G. Harding and Calvin Coolidge, or press secretaries utilized by Herbert Hoover. Instead, Roosevelt shaped his image and the public by creating and utilizing new methods of spin, such as “touring widely,

This started off by just a newspaper . Early politicians saw the value and the importance of basing campaigns around this important media device. The newspapers back then were extremely bias due to the rich only being able to read and then publishers were apart of this upper class. Even then many of the readers could not vote due to not owning property. Another source of bias came from the fact that newspapers were openly partisan. The use of newspapers could also affect politicians in an very positive or negative way. With the relatively newfound use of this media format, politicians had to watch what they said or else if an newspaper or leaflet came upon the incriminating thing or items it could spread like wildfire. Another tool of the media that is accessible …. Some presidents found a key way to wrap up the media around them in support. This was how the “Rhetorical Presidency” was born. Since the very beginning, presidents have struggled to influence Congress to pass their agenda. George Washington, in a fit of frustration after delivering his policy proposals, vowed never to go back to Congress. Presidents sought to use the media to spread their plan if congress did not approve. They would bring it to the

In chapter two, Wattenberg discusses television broadcasting and its impact with news networks such as NBC, CBS, and ABC. He quotes a 1972 study by Patterson and McClure in which they believed that although broadcasting allowed for Americans to see the campaign, it did not help teach voters anything of importance (32). TV news has become increasingly directed towards the elderly, with young people elsewhere or watching something else when politics are broadcasted (33). He illustrates this point with an example of the types of commercials aired for medications that while are suited for any age group, they are remedies for maladies or health concerns that older generations experience more than younger ones. Today, there are multitudes of television channels available for specific topics such as sports and music rather than the general topics the original major networks broadcasted, making it easier for young people to avoid the political events that once captivated the attention of Americans in previous generations. One study found that 21% of respondents under 30 years of age learned about the Presidential campaign or candidates from a comedy show instead of from newscasts (40). Although some find information indirectly through entertainment TV, a 2004 survey proved that 7% of respondents who followed the campaign closely enjoyed it and were familiar with facts heavily relied on cable news channels as a source of information, proving that if

Druckman, J. N. (2003) The Power of Television Images: The First Kennedy-Nixon Debate Revisited. Journal of Politics, 65, 559

The introduction of mass media, especially electronic media, has had a huge impact on the role of the president. Both the press and the president now depend on one another for existence. Richard Nixon was the first president to effectively use television. By making public appearances on TV, talking about his policies, his economic plans and his personal beliefs, Nixon garnered the support of the American public (PBS). By personifying himself for the American public Nixon made himself the first president elected for his character rather than a party for its views, thus changing the face of politics forever. Eisenhower was the first to let the press into the White House and found himself arranging his workday around the press so that he could make important announcements in time for the evening news, thus informing the American people immediately about what was going on. Kennedy, above all, was able to use television to his advantage. He showed that charisma, and amiability was the most essential thing in a TV president. The American people watched Kennedy and for the first time felt that they personally knew and liked their president. This changed the media as it caused people to believe in and trust their president implicitly (Museum Archives). The presidential debate in 1992 furthered this idea. Bill Clinton and George Bush met with a group of average Americans who questioned them. After this, morning talk shows, and

The coincidence of the growth of television with the first military defeat for America was used by the government to explain why the war was lost: it wasn’t because of government policy or by underestimating the enemy but because television journalism and lack of censorship that undermined the whole operation “by ‘graphic and unremitting distortion’ of the facts, pessimism, and unvarnished depiction of both Americas youthful casualties and American ‘atrocities’ inflicted on the Vietnamese.” The amount of televisions in America was on the increase; ‘In 1950, only 9 percent of homes owned a television. By 1966, this figure rose to 93 percent.’ This alone shows the sheer coverage that the news had and the potential influence that it could impose upon the minds of the people. Not only did more people have television sets in their homes but more and more people were relying on television over any other medium to obtain their news. The survey conducted by the Roper organisation for the Television Information Office in 1972 shows us that 64% of people got most of their news from television, an 8% increase from the survey conducted in 1964. Another factor in the power of television was not just the fact that it reached a wide audience, it was also the fact that people were more likely to believe what the television news said over reports in the newspaper or radio, especially if the reports were conflicting in nature. This was due to two factors; the personality who

Television at first allowed a new era of public communication which sparked its popularity among the nation. “As Frank Stanton, president of the Columbia Broadcasting System, put it: ‘Not even the sky is the limit.’ (Source A).” This quote tells us how television has vastly expanded public communication and that with it we can achieve so much more beyond our limitations before this invention. The main reason television was considered to have a positive effect on presidential elections was due to the fact that

Since 1952, television has played a major role in presidential elections. Television allows candidates to reach a broad number of people, and personalities, to help push along their campaigns. Campaigns help the candidates just as much as the voters. The candidates get to be identified, and known to the voters, and the voters get to hear and see how a specific candidate identifies with their needs and wants. The best way to get this information out there is through the most used form of media, television.

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.

Franklin D. Roosevelt used many pieces of technology. He used the radio a lot for his fireside chats. Throughout a years time he only used the radio about 31 times(FDR broadcasts first). Even though people could not see him,nor were they next to a fireplace or something of that sort, they still loved to listen to him and everything he had to say about one particular subject and how he felt about it. FDR used media to run the country in his presidency. People would be getting upset because they thought they were being treated differently and thought that they needed more attention. That's when FDR stood in with the media and held press conferences twice a week so people would understand where he was coming from(Eric

President Ronald Reagan was nicknamed “The Great Communicator.” Personal thoughts are that Reagan was one of the great leaders of modern times. The former president was able to change the status quo of government policies and public opinion through effective communication. As a leader, Reagan was guided by qualities of passion and genuine concern for the people always speaking from the heart. It was Reagan’s sincere desire to serve the country through his leadership bringing about economic growth with needed adjustments to government spending. Reagan’s ability to speak with conviction and authority helped people to understand the need for change. Using communication skills is an aspect of leadership that can make a difference in whether individuals are motivated to follow or resist.