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Television : A New, Evolutionary Technology, Or A Blast From The Past?

Decent Essays

From the viewpoint of a journalism historian, Donald L. Shaw identified a recurring pattern amongst American media in comparing the prevalence of newspapers, radios, motion pictures, and televisions when they were in their primes. They differed in that the later mediums were quicker to receive popularity; however, all four forms rose, stayed on ‘top’ for a period of time, and inevitably fell as they were replaced by a more popular type of media. Despite this pattern, Michael Wolff recently reported that, albeit the internet being widely considered the most popular media of current day, television is beginning to increase in popularity as the internet, meanwhile, is finding itself reliant on advertising. This contradiction leaves one important question to be asked: Will the next media mogul be a new, evolutionary technology, or a blast from the past? In answering this question, Shaw provides adequate historical examples as a basis for synthesis. Firstly, Benjamin Day’s Sun was well-received by mass audiences for covering common issues (i.e. crime). Secondly, Franklin D. Roosevelt used radio to provide comfort to Americans during the Great Depression in his Fireside Chats. Lastly, Americans not only were able to listen to the debate between John F. Kennedy and Richard Nixon, but watch it. In doing so, Kennedy was able to charm America with his visibly-apparent youth and charisma. A derivable pattern from these examples is that, over time, media seeks to become more

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