The US media and politicians have a complicated mutual dependency. Media outlets rely on politics to fill airtime, while politicians try to control the images and ideas in the media. The media has always played a role in shaping political life, with television being the most important medium. However, the close relationship between the media and politicians has caused concern among critics who argue that it does not inform the public or address substantive issues.
The relationship between the US media and politicians is defined by a kind of complicated mutual dependency. Modern American media covers politics extensively, and media outlets rely on politics to fill much of their airtime. In some cases, media organizations explicitly or implicitly take sides and strongly support certain groups of politicians. Politicians, in turn, make every effort to control the images and ideas that permeate the media, both by carefully managing interactions with news organizations and by directly buying access to the media.
The media in the United States has always played a role in shaping political life. The rise of mass-circulation newspapers in the latter part of the 19th century gave the media barons great influence over elections, and politicians often courted the favor of these influential men. Radio has proved to be a very powerful tool for politicians, and Franklin Roosevelt is partly famous for his use of that medium to speak directly to the nation, reassuring nervous audiences and explaining his policies to encourage support for his positions.
Television has proven to be even more important, and the broadcast media and politicians rely heavily on each other. The debate between John Kennedy and Richard Nixon illustrates the power of television. Radio listeners generally thought Nixon had prevailed, but those watching on television believed Kennedy had won. After this debate, television quickly became the most important medium for political debate and advertising.
Modern political life in the United States is often dominated by the close relationship between the media and politicians. News outlets, especially those that run programs all day, every day, have many hours to fill. Interviews with politicians are an inexpensive way to fill programming hours. Politicians, in turn, have become heavily dependent on the media to maintain their image.
In many cases, the media and political journalists have a bias towards a particular party or agenda. This is entirely legal, but still causes some concern among those watching the media. Interactions between media operatives and like-minded politicians are typically cordial, while those between media personalities and political opponents can be quite acerbic.
Critics of all ideological persuasions have frequently expressed concern about the links between media and politicians in the United States. A major concern stems from the sheer amount of effort many politicians feel compelled to put into creating and preserving a public image. Opponents of this style of media coverage argue that it is little more than marketing to politicians and does nothing to inform the public or force lawmakers to address difficult and substantive issues.
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