Television's Influence On American Politics

Imagine a world in which presidential debates were not televised, and a person would have to read the newspaper to get all their political news. Just how different would our country be today? Television has a huge effect on American politics. It is often the main source from which people derive their reasoning and opinions from. There is a plethora of news television channels to choose from and gather information from. These channels often run all times of the day. Keeping American citizens up to date on all developing news. Television properly helps U.S citizens vet and get to know the candidate, as well as the candidate's plan.

Television provides the viewers with up to the minute information. The public is entitled to this information,

and television helps fulfill this need. The people would be distant from the world of politics without television as a strong barrier would be created. “Television has provided a widespread penetration into the world and realm of politics” (Campbell). “Television provides a modern-day link from the politics of Washington to the daily lives of U.S citizens” (Campbell). Television provides the general population with a constant flow of information from the world of politics. Without television, it is hard imagining how people would be able to keep up with daily politics. “Television helps bring a needed spotlight to every candidate, effectively allowing the people to properly get to know them” (Bazalgette). The spotlight forces candidates to perform well under pressure. This in turn simulates and allows the people to see how they perform in pressure situations. Candidates are also less likely to be able to mislead the public due to the constant spotlight. In addition to providing up to the minute news television reveals things that are not supposed to be so public.
Television helps reveal the unknown truths of politics. “Walter Cronkite revealed to the American people the truth about the war in Vietnam” (Ranney). Lyndon B. Johnson, the president at the time had been misleading the American people about the current state of the war. Johnson had urged the American people for an increase in arms and troops so the battle could win. The president informed the white house to release a statement that the U.S was winning the war. Cronkite was not sold on the president’s report, and he took matters into his own hands. Cronkite visited Vietnam and was shocked by what was revealed to him. The battle was being lost and no solution was in sights of the near future. The only soluble thing at the time the U.S could do was make peace with the people of Vietnam not continuing to fight a pointless battle. Cronkite, who was a major public figure and well trusted at the time took to television to report his discoveries. Cronkite’s single television broadcast revealed an unknown truth to the American people , and changed a whole presidential election. This is a prime example of the strength and power television truly has in the political world. The ability of television to alter and sway the public’s opinion is uncanny and has no bounds. This has happened more than once in the U.S political history. Many politicians have had their careers ruined to the release and leaking of information through television. “Television is one of the many sources that does not allow information to escape the public eye” (Bazalgette). Most of all televisions stations will report the truth and be honest with their viewers. This is the main objective and purpose of television networks. To provide the viewers with adequate and constant truthful news. However, when it comes to television and politics some people have the belief that television has a negative effect on things.
These people would say that television over publicizes politicians and misleads the American people with twisted and distorted news stories.

“ Television often provides politicians with more attention turning them into more celebrity than politician” (Hart). This holds some truths in some situations television does over publicize some politicians , but this always is not a bad thing. The modern day politician is suppose to receive a plethora of attention due to their important public figure. Some television networks do sway towards parties , but not all of them. If anything a viewer can watch the network that reports exclusively on his or her interest rather than the interests of the people from another political party. When placed under this public spotlight the true character of the politician is revealed , and the public can get to know them in depth. “Politicians have the choice to abuse their public figure to derive attention or use it for acts of good” (Bazalgette) . This ultimately comes down to the morals of who we chose to represent us. Television plays an important part but at the end of the day if a politician is gonna mislead the public he will do it. Television acts as a checker to make sure the public cannot be fooled so easily. Above all television has helped propel our modern day society into realms that were before thought to be impossible to

reach.
Television gives the people of America a gateway into the world of modern politics. A gateway that is badly needed. With the nation expanding and growing by each day it seems as if the people are getting further and further from political decisions. With the help of television the people’s influence will be permanent and constant on the world of politics. This supporting the main building block upon which the U.S was built upon. “A government for the people by the people.” Television is deeply enriched in our modern day culture , and as of right now it is here to stay. Although some networks may pose a bias opinion they all share something that is important in common. All of the networks are in the business of reporting the truth, and at the end of the day this is what they will do.