Poliwood Documentary "http://www.moviesdatacenter.com/Movies/PoliWood-2009.html"
Monday 25 July 2011
The Role of Media in Political Communication
I recently discovered the video I have linked below that brings to light the interesting way in which political candidates have adapted their campaigns in our technology age. Since the political rise of JFK and his election, media has played a highly influential role in how the American people have voted. A debate between JFK and Richard Nixon occurd during the presidential race that resulted in a pole that indicated the large majority of people who watched the debate on tv felt that JFK had one, yet those who listened to the debate on radio felt Mr.Nixon had won. The underlying conclusion that this documentary comes to, is that JFK's nice smile, charming attitude, and tv presence swung the debate in his favour. Opposite was Nixon's less attractible, more serious demeanour that lost him the television voters, but his low tone, harsh, confident voice persuaded his radio listeners that he in fact was better suited for the job. That was 50 some odd years ago, nowadays media is basically the number one concern of every political candidate.
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This makes me imagine if we wouldn't have televisions, radios, or communication technology and vote for the person who the most people see, or hear about from the media. It's like when an already well known celebrity, such as Arnold Schwarzenegger, gets voted as the leader of California. President George W. Bush being voted for, because his dad was a previous president, is another example. Hillary Clinton coming in second place on the Democrats' side of the last election, because her husband was a President, shows how the media affects peoples votes.
ReplyDeleteMy question is: Would Arnold Schwarzenegger, or President George W. Bush have won, if they wouldn't have been made that well known, by the media?
Technological media is thus a great tool to work with, along with professional communication.