Thursday, November 6, 2008
Coverage of Tuesday's Election
Friday, October 31, 2008
Palin; Good or Bad Caboose for the McCain Train
Thursday, October 30, 2008
Media <3's Obama
The article also goes on to say that a lot of the statistics on media coverage just depend on perspective. For example, Hilary Clinton had a higher percentage of "negative" stories about her campaign, but "nearly 20% of the Clinton stories were aired on conservative talk radio" and unsurprisingly "86% of these were negative". The author states that stories about Obama were positive because they dealt mostly with Obama's fundraising and his background, while only "14.5% of the stories dealt with policy or the public record".
So I guess my question is, is it up to journalists to cover each candidate evenly, or it the candidate's responsibility to be news worthy? McCain solved his media problem by adding Sarah Palin to his ticket, although the media coverage of her is not always glowing. Personally I have to say that in my perspective there has been far more positive media coverage about Obama than McCain. I don't know whether this is biased or just reflects the candidate's own strengths and weaknesses, but to be honest I'd rather read about Obama's accomplishments any day.
Wednesday, October 29, 2008
Forget the hastle, vote early.
Campbell Brown Shakes Things Up
Brown said of the show, "You're not going to see me ever be partisan." But that doesn't mean you won't see her take a stand. While the show presents the news objectively Brown also gives her own analysis of the news- for example, she gave a tough interview to the republican spokesperson that the campaign felt attacked the party, and is now questioning Obama's campaign finances.
The trouble is, most viewers feel that the show is definitely on the liberal side, but more importantly the analysis that Brown gives causes the show to blur the line between a hard news show and an editorial news show. Journalists are supposed to analyze the news though, and because she is critical of both parties (though Republicans may have more to criticize?) I think the show definitely gives a different opinion on politics, both during and after this election.
Upcoming Election Problems
In the media's defense...
A Half-Hour Advert?
While political campaigns spending large amounts of cash on advertising is not unheard of, Barack Obama's message is the first of its kind. Personally, I get bored of the political tv adverts after the first few times I catch them; and they only last for a few minutes! I cannot imagine sitting down to watch interviews of random people telling of their support for a candidate, the timing of which is the same length as a funny sitcom.
Media and the 2008 Election
Palin's Ratings
Expectations>issues
I would argue that is a telling definition of this election's media coverage, and my primary complaint. Journalists assigned labes to Obama and McCain, often without any mention of their stance on issues. The subhead reads "Voters link each to products," but the reality is that the media usually made these connections and pushed onto a passive citizenry. When did expectations outweigh political developments and debates?
I feel as if the media had a ready-made portrayal of each candidate this entire year. The candidates themselves were merely incidental.
Tuesday, October 28, 2008
2008 Election Media Coverage
The media almost acts as a bully on the playground: Once they find someone better to torment, they leave their original victim alone. Their new victim is of course Sarah Palin, who offers up countless stories that are too good to let go. The media has thoroughly enjoyed pouncing on her every word and action. The media is less interested in the issues and just follows the story wherever it goes. And ever since McCain chose Palin as his running mate, the story has been on her. This could have been a great publicity stunt, but lately McCain's plan has been backfiring on him. The media has shown increasing disapproval of Palin from the general public.
Even when Biden shoots his mouth off, he still barely makes the media radar. And although Obama is still in the news, he's definitely been put on the back burner to Palin. He's really only in the news when the McCain campaign camp decides to attack him about some new accusation. But Obama refuses to lash out, therefore there's no real story to tell. In this case, less media coverage on Obama is working for him. The media is not painting Sarah Palin or John McCain in an attractive light, and with the election a week away, it might be too late for the McCain camp to turn things around. I think the media's portrayal of all the candidates during this campaign will have a huge impact on the result of this election.
McCain wins?
Media as "The Watch Dog" or "The Stalker"
Does the Media Want Obama to Win?
Keeping this thought in mind, another article from the Pew Research Center says that John McCain has been getting rather negative coverage from the media as opposed to Obama who seems to receive more positive coverage than negative.
Are these two articles really true, that the media is clearly favoring Obama in this election? Or could they just be fairly one sided? Who knows.
We would like to believe that journalists keep their political views out of their writing, especially when it comes to hard news. The notion of objectivity is not always as easy as it sounds, but journalists have an obligation to give people the facts, not opinions, when it comes to news.
It is very interesting, however, that every year since at least 1992, the public voters believe that the media favors the Democratic candidate over the Republican. Obviously if voters believe that journalists are not doing their job when it comes to giving people the hard facts, sans opinion.
The Historical 2008 Election
The one thing I have noticed, along with other news watchers, that the media has made a huge emphasis on Barack Obama and little is seen or heard of John McCain. Barack Obama has been discussed over and over again in the news, in regards of his religion, his church, his beliefs. It seems what has happened in his life is so much more interesting to cover, or this is at least what the media has portrayed. McCain has been covered a little bit more now because the elections are near, but also because of his choice for vice president, Sarah Palin, who has made a big splash in the media. With all her controversy in her life, McCain and Palin have made big headlines.
It seems like the media portrays the candidates in a way that seems to be scandalous. They want the news to be like gossip more than information. An example can be Sarah Palin and her lifestyle. I do not see how that is more important to know than her policies for this country. On Obama's case, the fact of how he was raised and what goes on in his church, seemed to be a really big deal. I can see how these issues can be important in knowing the candidate, but I did not see many stories on what Obama plans to do for our country. Another reason why these two candidates have been in the news is because of their images. Both are considered good looking and young, while McCain is portrayed as being old and grumpy. This has happened before in history when JFK ran for presidency. The media covered him a lot because he was handsome and had a movie star presence. It seems that the presence of a candidate will affect how the media and public perceive him/her.
It has also been such a big election because of the issues that are current. Many people are worried about the economy, oil, war, and personal issues that they may be facing. These topics will be greatly affected based on who will be voted in to make changes in our country. Because of this, it seems that people seem to lean towards Obama because he represents different beliefs. It seems that the media is looking for someone who will be different from other candidates to attract people.
I have to admit that it may not be all the media portraying the elections this way, but the majority have made this impression on me as well as other people.
The one thing that I have recognized and appreciate (maybe because I am older) is the fact that the media has been making a big deal about the elections. It is something very important and it should be covered intensely to get people to vote and voice their beliefs. It should also be covered to educate people and this year it is really great that it has been covered so much because it is such a great moment in history. It seems that this year, so many young people want to voice their opinions by voting and the media has played a big role in this. This is something that I feel is extremely good because it allows the youth to learn about making important decisions.
"Swinginess"
Media Coverage of the 2008 Election
In regards to the news coverage of the 2008 election I think they have done their job: those who rarely watched campaigns, debates, polls in the past are now tuning in almost religiously. The media have covered all angles of the campaign race and have used all mediums to broadcast their findings. Regardless of “media favoritism” during election-time, or how ethically they go about their job, I truly think good journalism has been seen at many times throughout this election. I have my personal frustrations with the election and the media, but I put this aside to look objectively into what is being produced to the world.
Journalist have a loyalty to the citizens first and fore most, and I think they have done a great job at catering to liberals, republicans, independents, men, women of all ages and all ethnic backgrounds. I would never want to be a political reporter because of all the stress involved, but I give them much credit for following the campaign and reporting the FACTS as they find them best to their knowledge.
I know this is the first time in my 22 years of life I have ever cared so much about an election, and been able to get basic facts, in depth facts, and gossip on any one of the candidates. I appreciate that, and in turn it makes me rely on the news media, and gives me hope that they will continue to do their job as they are doing now.
Presidential Assassination Scare
Some of you have probably heard about the neo-Nazi skinheads who were planning on assassinating Barack Obama. The story broke on major news outlets last night. The federal government has broken up the plan and all is hunky dory now.
But, should this story have even been broadcasted? It was absolutely newsworthy. It was major national news. But did the public really have to know this? No. Was it worth a small public scare? No. Might this create copy-cat scares? It's possible.
The media has the power to control what the public knows. Was this socially responsible of the media to broadcast this story? I don't think so.
Unethical Journalism at Its Finest
Print Jounalism is Dying
Monday, October 27, 2008
Newspaper endorsement
"Sure, I know the history and the tradition, the fact that newspapers in the 18th and 19th centuries were often affiliated with political parties, but why do they do it now? Why do it at a time when the credibility and viability of the press are at all-time lows? More important, why do it at a time when readers, especially young readers, question the objectivity of newspapers in particular and the media in general?"
Editor and Publisher editor Greg Mitchell defended the practice however on In The Media. I did not find his argument very convincing though, as he mainly seemed to argue (based on anecdotal evidence) that endorsements make a difference, not that these endorsements are necessary.
Tuesday, October 21, 2008
Palin's Strong Influence
Sunday, October 19, 2008
Power to the People!
Friday, October 17, 2008
the "unbiased" news
Breast Cancer Awareness Month
Thursday, October 16, 2008
And the best informed audience members are....
Wednesday, October 15, 2008
Keep on rockin'
Almost universally, the motive has been to "adapt to the times." Sure, that makes sense. But when that translates more pictures and less text, what does that say about society? Just by glancing at our media styles can we see the true meaning of "tuning out." What's next?