preview

all I Know Is What I Read In The Papers - Will Rogers

Better Essays
Open Document

"All I Know Is What I Read In The Papers" - Will Rogers

There have been many criteria over the past few centuries that measured one's political clout and influence: divine right, property, money, and acquaintances. In the twentieth century, particularly the past two decades, the political power to influence others resides in information: the more information you have and the more you know how to use it, the more potential influence you have. People rely on the media for their information, as it is the most easily accessible, efficient, and passive way of acquiring knowledge. Unfortunately, the media is not completely reliable as it can and has been manipulated by …show more content…

This statement is an attempt to manipulate not only the voter who will take the time to read the reasons in smaller print, but also the voter who only glances through the paper as their attention is caught, even if it is only for a second, to the bold type and the powerful finality of the statement. These are examples of direct use of advertisement to sway voters' decisions. There is a more indirect method as well where politicians use the news media to try to convey their message and hope the news will air or print it.
During the National Referendum campaign the "No" side relied on this factor more than the "Yes" side did. In a Globe and Mail article before the vote, the reporter regurgitated what Judy Rebick had said about the "Yes" side being "top- heavy with politicians, government types, and opinion leaders"(6), and how the public respects the "No" side as it is "something that comes from the grassroots"(7). Similar to the National Referendum, the Quebec Referendum also followed the same guidelines set out by the Referendum Act concerning media advertising allotment. The only difference was that the advertisement was localized to

Get Access
Related
Get Access