The Power of Television and the Iowa Caucus
Media, Culture, Politics, PR/Communications Add commentsTelevision again showed its power and impact after the winners of the Iowa Caucus were announced, and the leading candidates made their election-results speeches. All major cable and broadcast networks covered the speeches of Senator Obama and Senator Huckabee, the Democratic and Republic winners, respectively, and in that instant, they became nationally known as never before.
As a regular follower of C-Span, I am following the more extensive and in-depth pronouncements and remarks of all the candidates, so I had been aware of Senator Obama’s gifts of oration and inspiration. C-Span, however, reaches a more limited, politically focused audience - and does not impact upon the national electorate in the way of the combined power of all the commercial news networks.
In one instant, Obama and Huckabee were on the national stage as never before - and became national celebrities as never before.
It made me realize, once again, the power of television - and the power it has not only to raise awareness, but the potential power to act as a force for raising consciousness.
See my earlier post, “Why We Need to Transform Television,” to get my fuller view in this area: http://www.prstraighttalk.com/why-we-need-to-transform-television/
January 9th, 2008 at 12:32 pm
For me as a European it is really incredible how powerful the American media are. It seems as if most Americans are quite uncritical about what they see on TV. However, good to see that not all Americans behave that way.
January 10th, 2008 at 2:40 pm
If it wasn’t the media, then there would be another strong influence, be it uplifting speeches, catchy signs or even “thugs” waiting outside the polling place to guide your vote.
Isn’t that what politics is all about anyway, persuasion?
To be the devil’s advocate here, if a candidate can woo the press, perhaps they ARE the right person for the job. If you can win over the hearts of educated questioning people (maybe a big assumption about the media?) then you just might be able to win over the hearts of foreign dignitaries.
January 12th, 2008 at 1:51 pm
TV is power. Medias are powerful. Some professors call them the “fourth power”. What worries me is that, now, in the US, one man, Murdoch, and one group (News Corps.) controls so many newspapers, radio and tv channels. And he is not NEUTRAL. Yes, he is conservative. Yes, invading Iraq wouldn’t have been so easy without the support of Fox News… Madonna’s album “American Life” was a flop, mainly because Murdoch’s conservative radio channels boycotted it.
The US, the country of Freedom?
Let me doubt.
January 15th, 2008 at 1:54 am
TV undoubtedly influences people and the media has a lot of control by deciding what to air. As long as the public watches with healthy skepticism, politics on TV is a great way to inform people.
January 17th, 2008 at 5:25 pm
The power of the media begins from the second we turn the TV’s on and allow our children, the next generation, to watch it.
I can’t tell you how many times my son has repeated a cereal commercial word for word in the groccery store aisle as he tried to convince me to purchase it!
We, as Americans, are force fed political views through the media. The truth is bent, the lies are exhaulted. My advice, throw the TV in the trash and make your own decisions in life!
January 29th, 2008 at 2:56 am
Tv is really a very powerful media.But it should be used without any kind of bias.It can bring in positive changes in a country.
January 29th, 2008 at 6:06 am
It would be lovely if the corporate media in America had the depth of C-Span, while maintaining its wide audience. Rupert and his kind don’t favor this. Frankly, I don’t think mainstream media aims high enough. As Americans, we have become sheep, or perhaps not quite sheep, but go through life counting sheep, drifting along in a deep slumber. Mainstream media slumbers along with us, skimming the surface of issues, leaving our slumber undisturbed. Really, in our hearts, we long to wake up! This explains in part the pull of a fresh voice like Obama’s, stirring us to action! When big media stops insulting us with its trite patter, and begins speaking to our hearts, our consciousness will indeed rise! Perhaps Obama, if not our next president, can at least enliven our network news for awhile!!!
January 31st, 2008 at 10:44 pm
Media is the ultimate expression, taken straight to the people their news, and entertainment. Yet, when asociate with politic, like the presidential primaries, right after Iowa Caucus, I believe in upfront view of the candidates. Overall, I believe in free media, that is not control by the mainstreams or own by one CEO.