With the advent of television becoming a norm in any American homes, it was decided that the first televised presidential debate would take place in front of the American public through the airwaves. Since 1960, televised presidential debates have been the norm in politics all over the world an hold a great influence over the American public. Television has positive effect on presidential elections as seen by a wide-audience and opinion but is refuted by trust. Television has a positive effect on the presidential elections because of the large audience that they attract. A wider audience equals higher viewership. Source C shows how popular televised debates are for the voting population of the United States: “1980 Networks: ABC, NBC, CBS; Anderson-Carter-Reagan, Oct. 28, Rating: 58.9, People: 80.6 million”. Having a large audience means that a larger population can view a presidential debate and obtain a viewpoint that they might have not seen before. Televised debates encourage a more active Americans populace because it provides more access to the political realm of the United States. Having 80.6 million Americans watching anything at the same time is …show more content…
Debates try to convince people. “ Nixon-Kennedy...debates...Large segments of the public have been given a new, immediate contact with political events. Television has appeared to be fulfilling its early promise.” (Source A). By airing a presidential debate on television, something that nearly all Americans own, they can form an opinion solely because of a debate. Debates are designed to convince the American public to choose a certain candidate, this means that the more people watch the debates, the more people will have an opinion on a certain candidate or position they didn’t have before. With a wider audience viewing a debate on television, more people form an opinion, which leads to a more educated American
Finally, Leo makes the case that arguing is beneficial and can rescue us from “our own half-formed opinions.” John Leo has provided an excellent, if not equally sarcastic essay, on why he firmly believes debating is an important aspect of our daily lives. We use debating to help gain knowledge on new ideas, challenge existing ideas, engage with friends and fellow peers, and work out our half formed opinions. Throughout the essay, Leo uses a myriad of helpful quotes and examples to drive his point home. One of the most notable was a quote regarding President Ronald Reagan and then Speaker of the House, Tip O’Neill. “Tip O’Neill and Ronald Reagan fought sharply during the day, but enjoyed having the occasional drink or two after
Based on the performance and content of the presidential debate, Hillary Clinton emerged the winner. A debate is a typical adversarial argument, which is characterized by competition. There is one winner and one loser. The argument revolves around two people who have different or opposite ways of thinking, argue the same topic. The arguer is intent on changing the other’s beliefs. Further, the arguer usually tries to refute the opponent by showing or invalidating the opponent’s viewpoints. In this first presidential debate, Donald Trump and Hillary Clinton stated their claims and provided supporting facts to prove each is the better candidate for president. Both Donald and Hillary set out to sway more people to “their side” as choice for president of the United States.
There wouldn’t be another televised presidential debate until 1976, which was 16 years later. The reason why the next televised presidential debate was so far away was because none of the next presidential candidates wanted to take on the media. In 1964 Lyndon B. Johnson was too scared of the media to take on Barry Goldwater. In 1968 and 1972 Nixon refused to debate knowing he had already been burned when he agreed to debate with Kennedy. But in 1976 televised debates made a comeback when Gerald Ford agreed to debate against Jimmy Carter. The United States had used televised presidential debates ever since.
Individuals may believe this new exposure of political debates and facts about the candidates would help the public make an educated decision of their president. However, all of that television has done is turn the presidential debates into a popularity contest. Elections were based on image, charm and how the networks wish to have the candidates perceived. Televisions’ contribution to political debates only emphasized personality, visual image and emotion rather than ideas, issues and reason.
With improvements to broadcasting technologies and greater access by more families, television was now in more homes in the 1960’s, bringing news, advertising, and family comedy shows to the nation. Moreover, the influence on social aspects of people’s live was apparent when it came to depicting women and their gender roles through acting. Consequently, television played another role regarding social dynamics thus, showing the realities of civil rights and the horrors of war. Additionally, television brought the political candidates to the forefront and had a strong influence on the American people’s political ideologies, as the first ever presidential debate aired on television. Finally, television aided the economy by waging advertising campaigns that convinced consumers to purchase their products. Coupled with consumer’s extra income contributing to a strong economy, despite the slightly high unemployment rates. As can be seen, television played a key role in the social, political, and economic culture in the 1950’s and
TV can be used as a tool to give Americans a glimpse into the process and person they choose to elect to be the head of the country by exposing them to the ideals, statements, and behavior of Presidential candidates. A key element in the election process, is finding who one should support
Breakthroughs in technology throughout the twentieth century similarly morphed the institution of the American presidency. Embracing and adjusting to changing technology is a key attribute of the modern presidency, for the use proper use of technology makes the presidency appear strong. While mass media was an available medium during the presidency of Herbert Hoover, it was not effectively used until the Roosevelt administration (Thompson, 9/11/2014). The use of technology has enabled presidents to effectively address the nation, developing the modern presidency’s paternalistic role, in both times of crisis as well as presidential elections. Franklin Delano Roosevelt’s use of the radio to address the nation during the Great Depression and World War II demonstrates the paternalistic use of media in the modern presidency, creating a stronger connection to the American people. The 1960 Presidential Election further demonstrates the importance of the modern presidency adapting to technological advancements. The televised debate between Richard Nixon and John F. Kennedy shows the importance of technology to the presidency; for Americans who watched the debate and those who listened to the debate had different perception of who won (Thompson, 9/18/2014). Incorporating technology is a major element of the modern presidency, the use of mass media has greatly strengthened presidential administrations as well as the image of presidential candidates
of a political campaign, to hit hardest at those who are in power or running
In everyday life, television is everywhere. It can be in your house, in a shop, or somewhere you’ve never been to. However, have you ever wonder if television affects presidential elections? Have you wonder if televisions had a positive or negative feedback on presidential elections? Well, anyway, television has both, positive and negative effects on presidential elections, but there is more downside to it than positive.
Researchers tend to hold one of three views about television's influence on voters. Some believe that television affects voters in the short run, for example in an election campaign. Another group of researchers believes that television has a great influence on voters over time and that television's impact on voters is a continuous process from one campaign to the next. Others stand between the two views or combine both.
The main aim of this report is to analyze the impacts of changes in the media concerning the societal and individual view of politics and politicians. The report also describes significant milestones in mass media since the year 1960 and examines the impact of mass media on how people think politically. The report then considers the effect of technological advancements in mass media and the effect on the results of elections. The use of mass media has increased over the last fifty years in that it is a primary medium through which supporters of various campaigners share their ideas and views concerning politicians and different political parties. Through social media, behaviors and performance of several activists have brought
The format of a presidential debate is as follows. Generally, candidates give short opening statements. The rest of the approximately 90 minutes is divided into six time segments of approximately 15 minutes, with topics selected and announced beforehand by the moderator. Each segment opens with a question, after which each candidate has two minutes to respond.
"Freedom of the press is guaranteed only to those who own one." This quote by A.J. Liebling illustrates the reality of where the media stands in today's society. Over the past twenty years there has been an increase in power throughout the media with regard to politics. The media's original purpose was to inform the public of the relevant events that occurred around the world. The job of the media is to search out the truth and relay that news to the people. The media has the power to inform the people but often times the stories given to the public are distorted for one reason or another. Using slant and sensationalism, the media has begun to shape our views in society and the process by which we choose our leaders. There was once a time when the government used the media as a medium to influence voters, committees, communities etc. Recently, it has been the presidents of major media outlets that have not only exercised power over the public but also made their presences felt in government and in the halls of congress. When the word democracy is thrown about it usually has to do with the rights or original intentions for a group or organization. The first group intended to be influenced by the media was the informed voter. Political parties along with the government used a variety of media resources to persuade the voter or in effect receive a vote for their cause. Returning to the thought of ?democracy? the question is, what was the original intention of the media with relation to the theme of democracy and the informed voter? To analyze this thought thoroughly one must first grasp an understanding of the basic definition of democracy.
The current role of mass media in politics has definitely played a significant role in how view and react to certain events and issues of the nation. Newspapers, magazines, television and radio are some of the ways information is passed onto many of the citizens. The World Wide Web is also an information superhighway, but not all of the sources on the Internet are credible. Therefore, I will only focus on the main three types of media: written, viewed, and audible, and how they affect whether or not democracy is being upheld in the land of the free. The media includes several different outlets through which people can receive information on politics, such as radio, television, advertising and mailings. When campaigning, politicians spend large quantities of money on media to reach voters, concentrating on voters who are undecided. Politicians may use television commercials, advertisements or mailings to point out potentially negative qualities in their opponents while extolling their own virtues. The media can also influence politics by deciding what news the public needs to hear. Often, there are more potential news stories available to the media than time or space to devote to them, so the media chooses the stories that are the most important and the most sensational for the public to hear. This choice can often be shaped,
The media is so impressive that it can influence who we have as the United States President. That appears to have a huge impact on everyone who has access to social or mass media.