the media and politics

In the aftermath of the 2000 presidential elections , various media outlets spent the weeks following constantly keeping up with the ins and outs of the entire controversy . Throughout the period of the war in Iraq , the media has been on top of the story from the beginning relaying the latest news day and night . The media has long had a great responsibility in giving the masses of society as much information about the current state of political affairs . That tie between people , media and politics is one that causes a lot of controversy

, but it 's also one that 's inseparable , and necessary

The press ' ability to convey all of the goings-on in the political world has greatly expanded as the country has grown and technologies have advanced . Forget pamphlets and newss that only reach or are understood by or intended for a select group of people . Flimsy pamphlets and newss have given way to news magazines . Print outlets have given way to television . And TV , oh how it 's expanded from just a couple of channels reporting the same news , to several cable outlets designed specifically for the purpose of relaying all of the current news 24 hours a day , 7 days a week , from top to bottom , left to right . And TV has now given way to the Internet , and the `net is a far cry from anything in the days of the Thomas Payne 's of the world Imagine if Mr . Payne had the ability to be a blogger , or have the chance to express his opinions like so many thousands of people do now , many of whom are not necessarily `experts ' but just have an opinion and an avenue to express it

TV , as obsolete as it may appear to be with the ever-increasing popularity and expansion of the Internet , still fares very prominently in the world of politics , especially when it comes to the electoral process . Leading up to important elections , the main candidates face off in televised debates to showcase their ideas and platform , and to allow voters to get a grasp on just who is better deserving of their vote . And , of course , there are the great number of political analysts and pollsters who have the task of breaking things down even further , on down to the last second before the ballots close . You also can 't forget the ever-present campaign ad . They make for good entertainment value more than actually being informative , because most of them are far too busy slandering one candidate to seriously be of any worth . Also during the election process , the candidates greatly expose themselves to their pasts and presents , and all of their comments being exposed and scrutinized by the media , for purposes of showing the candidates for all that they are . And sometimes , comments are greatly exaggerated , and distorted , and that 's where the question of the media 's power comes in . How much power do the media have ? Is it too much ? At times , it...