Media and Politics

Megan Luckey - July 9th, 2012

I believe television has already influenced how we vote. Not only do we have access to various news channels that cover elections, but we are also subject to commercials by the candidates. I feel television is beneficial for elections for those who use the proper resources. If Americans are more informed, they will be more likely to vote from a candidate who would be valuable to our country.

It could also influence voters because if they see a commercial they like or dislike, it could effect how they vote. However, It could also hinder how we vote. Before television, many people read the newspaper and listened to the radio, and were therefore more informed about the news. Now, television is used primarily for entertainment value.

Internet will similarly change our politics. It has changed media completely, with the majority of people now receiving their news and information from it. With information being more readily available, we can have more educated voters. Internet also changes politics in that it can help candidates gather financial and voter support. Through internet, candidates are able to advertise more. This could change politics because it is a great way to reach thousands of voters at one time. It could also potentially increase voter turnout in elections.

Being able to receive donations for candidacy at the click of a button is something that had never been done before the internet. It utilized correctly, this alone would alter the outcome of an election. Having money can sometimes be the difference between winning and losing. As seen in the election between Obama vs. McCain, being up to date on technology and knowing your voters can have a huge impact on an election. Obama employed the internet and gained significant support though it. During the election, ads for the Obama campaign sprinkled pages all over the net. It is questionable whether Obama would have won had the internet not existed.