Allison Archer covers an interesting relationship between the media and politicians. This relationship has always been interesting to me. It is as if the media sometimes plays the devil’s advocate. They push and poke at politicians to make quick decisions. This many times results in a frustrated politician. However, after reading this article I began to realize that the media is essential.
In the United Sates today politics are very polarized. Although the media contributes to this, the information is more important. The media having a love/hate relationship with politicians is essential to the people of the US. If it were not for the media, we would not be able to say…determine who the best candidate is for a position. The aggressive media can sometimes be the best as it forces politicians to think.
I disagree that the “love/hate relationship with politicians” and the media is “essential” because the media existed long before this relationship existed. I think that this polarized relationship is just another tool employed by politicians to win elections. It makes me wonder why the Fairness Doctrine was appealed in 1987 because to me, that seemed to allow the news outlets to become more polarized.
I disagree that media plays the devil’s advocate, because while they may portray a leader in a negative light, a main component of the media’s job is to shed light on the actions of that leader and hold them accountable for those actions, regardless of a valuation (good or bad) label.
I don’t think the media exists to keep politicians in check. In its purest form, I think it’s purpose is just to inform citizens…. which inevitably does keep officials in check. Or it should. that balance is being completely flipped around and there’s no definite reason why. “FAKE NEWS” is a political tactic. It’s part of a platform, but the media truly is biased so it isn’t all wrong. Which makes this ideal view of the media hard to hold nowadays.
I agree that the relationship between media and politicians is essential. Yes media existed before this relationship but in present times, it is needed to make an impact as a candidate.
I like how you compare the media to playing the devil’s advocate. I had never thought of it like that. I agree that the media is essential in our democracy in order to give us information about our electors.