Is the media fulfilling its role?
Our class glossary defines the media as any form of communication to the masses. It also stresses the importance of the media as a tool of a free democracy. The media is capable of propagating ideas and influencing the opinions of many people.
Yesterday I attended a performance that was also a form of media. It was the biannual debate between the College Democrats and College Republicans of the University of Pennsylvania. As an American citizen and a political science major, I had a strong interest in what the opposing parties had to say.
Many of the currently hot political issues are constantly presented in the news. For instance, there are frequently stories covering the Supreme Court nominations, the War on Iraq, and policies that the Bush administration is attempting to implement. However much of that a viewer receives via the news is soundbytes and oversimplifications of major issues. In an effort to gain the support of all different types of viewers, news stations resort to simply stating what the issues are. They neglect to interpret, explain, or describe possibly consequences of issues that will affect our individual lives.
It shouldn’t be a surprise that the information I was receiving from the news was anything but satisfying. Unfortunately, the political debate failed to provide me with many answers as well. Each political party simply pointed fingers at their opponents. If an informed public is really so essential to the success of democracy, it would be a good idea for the media to delve into the actual issues. Maybe then Americans can be sure they get what they voted for.
Yesterday I attended a performance that was also a form of media. It was the biannual debate between the College Democrats and College Republicans of the University of Pennsylvania. As an American citizen and a political science major, I had a strong interest in what the opposing parties had to say.
Many of the currently hot political issues are constantly presented in the news. For instance, there are frequently stories covering the Supreme Court nominations, the War on Iraq, and policies that the Bush administration is attempting to implement. However much of that a viewer receives via the news is soundbytes and oversimplifications of major issues. In an effort to gain the support of all different types of viewers, news stations resort to simply stating what the issues are. They neglect to interpret, explain, or describe possibly consequences of issues that will affect our individual lives.
It shouldn’t be a surprise that the information I was receiving from the news was anything but satisfying. Unfortunately, the political debate failed to provide me with many answers as well. Each political party simply pointed fingers at their opponents. If an informed public is really so essential to the success of democracy, it would be a good idea for the media to delve into the actual issues. Maybe then Americans can be sure they get what they voted for.
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