Media And Politic In England
The mass media is the means by which the citizens of the United States
are informed of current events in politics. This gives the media huge
amounts of power and control. Supreme Court Justice Lewis F. Powell stated
in 1974, "An informed public depends upon accurate and effective reporting
by the news media. No individual can obtain for himself the information
needed for the intelligent discharge of his political responsibilities."
Powell is saying that it is the media's responsibility to inform the
citizens of the news, because people cannot get this information by
themselves, and in order for the people to fulfill their responsibilities
as citizens, such as voting, they need to be informed. Lewis Powell goes
on to say,
"For most citizens, the prospect of personal familiarity with
newsworthy events is hopelessly unrealistic. In seeking out the
news, the press therefore acts as an agent of the public at large.
It is the means by which people receive that free flow of
information and ideas essential to intelligent self government."
No citizen is able to obtain all of the "newsworthy" information they
need alone. The press provides the people with the information necessary
for democracy in the United States.
According to our textbook, United States Government Democracy in
Action, the mass media has been referred to as the fourth branch of
government. (527) By simply associating the media with the other three
branches of government implies the power of the mass media. The
information relayed by the media to the people has played a major part in
the democracy of the United States.
The advancing technologies in today's world help the media to portray
their political views. Television provides the opportunity for...
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