Media & Politics

Paper Summary:

In this article, the writer notes that mass media represents a vital tool within the frame of democratic societies due to two major roles. The writer notes that on the one hand, media informs people about different events, draws a parallel between various points of view and reveals facts that the powerful try to conceal from the public. In this regard, mass media may be considered an essential advocate of people's right to information. The writer then discusses that on the other hand, media can be viewed as a public opinion barometer as it expresses the masses' fears, concerns and opinions towards current events. The writer concludes that on the one hand, media can help the audience get a clearer picture of the ongoing events and, on the other hand, it can manipulate public opinion in favor of the powerful.

From the Paper:

"Thus, Herman and Chomsky argue that media represent a business that is subordinated to the same profit goals as any other business. Consequently, the large corporations that run media outlets strive to maximize turnover and minimize cots. This supreme aim impacts the type of news that is broadcasted and/or printed and the perspective that a reporter provides on the respective topics. Therefore, for the sake of profit, many entrepreneurs in the media field sacrifice news quality even if this implies concealing things or presenting issues in a less accurate manner."

Sample of Sources Used:

• Barstow, D., Stein, R. (2005). Under Bush, a New Age of Prepackaged TV news. On the Internet at: http://www.nytimes.com/2005/03/13/politics/13covert.html?_r=1&oref=slogin Retrieved October 30, 2007.
• DeYoung, B. (1988). What's Relationship Marketing?. Retrieved October 30, 2007, from Journal of Extension web site: http://www.joe.org/joe/1988fall/a9.html .
• Herman, E., Chomsky, N. (1988). Manufacturing Consent: The Political Economy of the Mass Media. New York: Pantheon Books.
• Lipmann, W. (1922). Public Opinion. New York: Macmillan.
• Teeling, E., 2006. How Does the US Measure up? Web use by political candidates in the US versus those around the world. Retrieved October 30, 2007, from The Bivings Group web site: http://www.bivingsreport.com/campaign/international.pdf.

More papers on Media & Politics:

• Book Review # 71720 : "Robert W McChesney's "The Problem of the Media"
• Analytical Essay # 72873 : "Mass Media and Politics"
• Essay # 38411 : "Media and Politics in America"
• Article Review # 121946 : "Media and Politics"

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