Description
This session will examine how the various sectors of the media – television, newspapers, Internet sites and social media platforms – affect the presentation, the description, the analysis and the impact of American politics. Starting with an historical overview of how newspapers, radio programming and public speeches were used to influence the status of political leaders, issue development and popular opinion, the session will then move to a modern-day analysis of how candidates for public office and their campaign consultants employ media strategies to sway public views on key policy concerns and the image of the candidates. This session will also examine the various controversies about how the media should respond to misinformation and the issue of fairness in presenting the news and the candidates. Concluding commentary will accent the manner in which media outlets can balance the need for accurate reporting with criticism of candidates and campaigns that mislead the American public.
