Media and Big Brother

When watching media coverage, especially that on television, I have always bee skeptical. After taking numerous Political Science courses this has only helped to reinforce this mindset. Skepticism is simply not taking anything on face value when dealing with the media. Just as we talked about in class, all the significant news in the world can not be reported all the time or by everyone. It basically comes down to a question of who decides which story is pushed and which are put on the back burner. When decisions like this have to be made it forces us to try to understand the person or group that made those decisions. After all television stations are simply part of larger business corporations. When thinking about this I have to remember that major corporations are focused primarily on the bottom line. To maintain and increase profits, choices have to be made that are attractive to advertisers and stockholders, as well as the audience (which decides how much corporations can charge advertisers). There can never be truly different or radical points of view or stories reported because it would upset the balance that is in place for creating revenue. I don't believe in the idea that there is a conspiracy or ideological war behind these choices. It is actually just people that are trying to best work inside a capitalist system. When analyzing news stories a careful eye and follow-up research is whats needed to successfully navigate this political landscape.

Frame of Mind

While watching the various speeches, conventions and political messages this season, its hard not to be somewhat wary. Wary doesn't necessarily have to mean something bad, simply a little different. Speaking generally, both presidential campaigns have tried to frame themselves first and foremost as the peoples' champion. Whether it be through change and new direction or experience and straight talk, each has tried to create a sense authenticity in their arguments and that they are essential if America is to be or remain the "greatest country in the world". I find it interesting that for one of the most polarized and passionate elections in recent history, both campaigns are using almost identical tactics, albeit different messages.