This week we discussed the Clinton-Lewinski scandal, considered impeachment, executive privilege and the role of media in American politics (sometimes labeled the "fourth branch" of US government.) Consider our discussions, the film Wag the Dog and your read on current events. Answer TWO of the following questions using specific examples from the film and modern politics:
Does media reflect or shape/inform politics in the modern world? What role does the media play in shaping American political and cultural perspectives? How is media affecting the current Presidential race?
Cite/ link any outside sources you use to compose your response. This assignment may be blogged, typed, written or turned into a film project, poster, etc. It MUST be 250 words in length and reflect understandings from our current unit of study.
Due Monday, 9/22 at the beginning of class
12 comments:
Teresa Konopka
1) What role does the media play in shaping American political and cultural perspectives?
The media does indeed play a role in culture and politics. A prime example is in the film Wag the Dog. In it, the president’s spin-doctor tries to manipulate the president’s ignominious situation. Basically, the president is accused of sexually harassing a young girl eleven days before his reelection. This greatly puts the president’s reelection at stake since that is what the people are focusing on. The president then needs a diversion to get public attention away from his love life and towards something patriotic. So, his spin-doctor goes to a movie producer to make a faux-war. His main goal is for the “teaser” to go on television so the American people will think that the president is diligently at war for freedom in Albania. After the CIA proves to the American people that there is no war (i.e.- it ended), the producer makes a second act in the play of politics. He spews a story of a war hero left behind in a war torn area. The main point of this is that the media is so crucial in politics and society that spin-doctors will go to extraordinary lengths to give the American people an ad. When the spin-doctor and producer were making the broadcasts, they forbid their actors to put their work of the “war shoot” on their resume. They also used blue screens and digital computerization to produce false images for the people. The goal is to have Americans see something on television so they will believe it.
2) How is media affecting the current presidential race?
The media has much effect on the current presidential race. While nominees tend to keep “approving this message,” true politics is oftentimes pushed aside for slander or some sort of oddity. In numerous ads, Obama is portrayed next to Paris Hilton and Britney Spears. The message outlined in those ads is against Obama, claiming that he has celebrity status but is not a good role model for the nation. As for McCain, advertisements against him often portray him as a senescent man against any sort of change for the government (“another Bush”). As for what overall effect these sort of advertisements will have in the current presidential race, that question will can not fully be answered until one selected over the other. However, both sides must have some belief that their slanderous ads have some sort of negative affect on their opponent. While there are ads that do promote political promises and non-slanderous messages, they often do not get nearly as much attention. That is because the American people, as a cumulative whole, tend to pay more attention to controversy. After all, the average American (assuming they did not go for a PhD in political science) would much rather talk to a friend over the latest nominee insult rather than GNPs or Congressional issues.
Sources used:
Mooney, Alexander. “McCain ad compares Obama to Britney Spears, Paris Hilton.” CNN. 19 Sep. 2008. http://www.cnn.com/2008/POLITICS/07/30/mccain.ad/index.html.
“McCain promises ‘change’ in speech to RNC.” CNN. 19 Sep. 2008. http://politicalticker.blogs.cnn.com/2008/09/04/mccain-promises-change-in-speech-to-rnc/.
Words: 524
Cherricka
What role does the media play in shaping American Political and Cultural perspectives?
The media’s role is to send out information to the world. It can be true or false, but the main goal is to make people believe it. In the movie “Wag the Dog” Robert De Niero hired a producer to make up a war in Albania. The producer has to make the war large and extremely important so everyone can forget about the accusations made towards the President. The President was accused of making sexual remarks to an under aged girl. This, pretend, war will have the whole country excited and scared, which would turn their attention away from the President. The only way this plan will work is if the media got involved. The media have a way of getting into people’s minds and changing their views. One commercial, song, or quote can re- shape Americans political and cultural perspectives.
How is media affecting the current Presidential race?
This isn’t the only Presidential race the media has affected. Every election was affected by the media. When one candidate say something the media will turn it into something terrible. This is how the media change people’s minds. For instance, Barak Obhama said something about MC Cain’s Vice President and pigs. Now, Obhama is considered to be disrespectful to females because he called her a pig. This is what happens when you don’t watch what you say. One wrong word or phrase can mess up a candidate’s chance as being President.
Ian Murphy
Government
Block G
1) Does media reflect or shape/inform politics in the modern world?
I believe the media reflects politics, and that there are several ways it does so. it can outright tell us of political events that occur through the news, or it can make fun of or send subliminal messages to us through satire. "Wag the Dog" is certainly the latter, though because politics is the theme of the film, the message is much more clear. In fact, this film is a piece of media about the use of media as to how it is used towards politics.
2) How is media affecting the current Presidential race?
One of the most prominent roles that media plays in the election is that it is making both presidental campaigns known to us. It is a persuasive spectrum of our own government that tries to goad us into joining one side of the race, but is also informs us of any scandals that happen on such a level that it may cause us to change sides midstream. The latter choice, however, is certainly a nuisance for either campaign. If the scandal is skillful enough, it could make a runner for president seem completely involved in the event even if he or she is in a completely different country at the time, as reflected in the film "Wag the Dog". Whatever the case may be, the media is such a critical aspect in the presidential election that it can make or break the chances of both Obama and McCain becoming the next president.
!Does media reflect or shape/inform politics in the modern world? 1. From interning at two political offices, I can say for sure that media shapes politics in the modern world. First, allot of people voting don’t even know the difference between facts and propaganda. They automatically assume that whatever they see on television is correct. They forget to acknowledge that, by the first amendment, everyone has the right to state something. Due to busy jobs and big families, a lot of people don’t have the time to research and find accuracy in the news. Today, when you, even I, read a case in the newspaper about a dirty scandal of one of our politicians, were so quick to believe it. Why, because the story is juicy and entertaining. Even after tens and thousands of pleadings from the politician to believe his side of the story, we still don’t believe him. Why, because the newspaper company said so and copy and pasted a spunky woman to standing next to him in his business suit. So this causes the politician to drop out of the race. These cases don’t only happen in sex scandals but also in false accusations of a politician’s religion or culture. For example, in May of 2008, a photo leaked out in the Media of Obama wearing a turban, trying to create the allusion that he is a Muslim. People usually believe the media because of the popularity that it owns and its easy access.
In today’s election, John McCain has used the Media to negatively attack his opponent, Obama. His commercial on Obama’s popularity has ignored the politics of the election. The AD definitely gets a lot of attention, but some says it may backfire for the fact that it doesn’t attack Obama’s political tactics and shows desperation on McCain’s side for the fact of the topic. McCain’s ads are trying to define Obama, instead of actually finding out who he is. The Video compares Obama’s popularity like one of Paris Hilton, which is sought of an insult for the fact that he is running for an election not a popularity contest. You can view the commercial at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=phBBnxXJdoM
2. How is media affecting the current Presidential race?
When I visted Nigeria, alot of the people automatically assumed that I was ignorant in speaking yoruba and about Islam( the dominant religion). One day, in Nigeria I went to the musjid to pray evening prayer and a women interupted my prayer to asked me if I knew how to pray. I've been going to Islamic school for about 15 years!They were astonished to hear me speak yoruba and recite the Quran in arabic, with the mind set that I forgot my culture. One women even asked me if there were black Muslims in America and my favorite, "are their musjids in America". I asked the women , why do you think Americans are so dumb with all the accomlishments we have set and done for the world. The women replied with, "I saw the movies". I asked ,"which movies". She refrenced Lean on Me, Date Movie and Coming to America. I just laughed. Foriegners look at our movies as primary evidence. I explained to them that we take them as comedy and as a form of entertainment. We at times even use them as relief to get over a certain topic.
Also, Nigerians , back home , clasify themselves in some way superior than Black Americans and in other ways, they fear them. They see the way blacks in america are portrayed in movies. Numerous of times , did they advise me not to associate myself with "them" or marry "one". LMAO. I told them that in America it is different. I can not descriminate against anyone , because if GOD for bid , we go back into slavery time .They wont say "oo , your african: you do this job and your black so you do this and your chinese so you do this". No, I explained to them. discrimination leads to oppresion.Most importantly, I explained to them that it is immoral. Also because of the comdey films, they feel that Caucasions are slow and only like to laugh. Ther superstitions were crazy. On a better note, while I was in Africa, I and my cousins watched the Demorcratic election on CNN International. I was really happy that they showed the convention because it displayed to them that America is changing from its negative ways. They all wanted Obama to win because he was black but I told them to look at the color of all the people that was at the convention. They were not black and were just voting for him because of his views. I tried to adjust their political views in America and let them know that it was more than a color issue.
Nigerians are a fean for Obama. They even have his election posters hanging on the streets saying " VOTE OBAMA 08". I do not know were they are planning to vote at but...
I don't feel that the media truely gives America it's recognition. For the first time I was actually defending America and not critisizing her. I felt so bad for her. In America we see how much the Americans donate money in Africa and adopt African children, yet I dont think the Africans see it. When I took a road trip to Ghana, I saw that they had a similar view with the Nigerians but they were much nicer!
Jeremy Smith
G Block
1) Does media reflect or shape/inform politics in the modern world?
The media does both of these in our very society today. It is the only way for us to be up to date with politics, weather, sports, video games, and television shows. How it reflects on the politics in the modern world is through variety of different things. For example: political satire through political cartoons, 1984 by George Orwell, TIME Magazine, and many more. There is also the subtle exploitation that the media ploys into it's works. Take 90s music, for example.
2) How is media affecting the current Presidential race?
With the times comes more and more developments and changes that affect the very society we live in. For that statement, we have the media to supply us with information about our candidates that could be both interesting and unnecessary. For the most part, there is a lot of exploitation taken in part with the candidates on both ends, such as Obama's ties on faith and VP hopeful Palin's unlikely release/hacking of her email account on the web. The media searches for something controversial, exploits it to the public, and continues with their greedy endeavors.
Media is the fourth branch of government. People get their information from the media, whether it is about politics, entertainment, gossip, or anything that a reporter or news broadcaster may write or talk about. I think that people rely heavily on the media, because they have to assume that the information they are receiving is true, people really do not have a way to know what is true or false when it comes to the media, they just have to go with it.
In Wag the Dog, the media showed a war going on in Albania that was never even occurring and was completely made up and false, but the public never questioned the war, only the CIA did and after Connie, Robert De Niero, made them believe otherwise, the war was never questioned again. Obviously this would never happen in real life, because if a war was going on there are people who would look further into it, and the legislative and judicial branches of government would know that this situation was a hoax, because of checks and balances. Before the executive branch can declare or go to war, congress must approve, and in Wag the Dog congress was never part of the decision, the executive branch went ahead, on their own to “announce” the war, and show news footage.
When it comes to election time, the media is very influential towards the public’s votes. Each candidate creates slogans, campaigns, and commercials that people remember, like jingles for a food product. Advertisers made these jingles catchy and annoying so people remember them and sing along to them all day, and eventually they buy that product. These rules apply to politics as well, like Kennedys campaign song “Kennedy, Kennedy, Kennedy…” which was so annoying that it got stuck in people’s heads and they sing it all day and most likely many people who were undecided on who to vote for, began to lean towards Kennedy’s campaign.
In the modern world, media definitely plays a role in shaping and informing people of politics. We receive any and all knowledge of what’s going on in the political world via media. News sources have to the power to manipulate and distribute information in any way they so choose. Tabloid magazines are a perfect example of the manipulation of information. Paparazzi snap photos of all sorts of people, celebrities and sometimes even political figures, and create their own captions, publishing stories regardless of whether or not there is any truth to the stories. Furthermore, news broadcasts are greatly censored and leave out many details in their extremely short segments. As seen in “Wag the Dog”, the government can easily utilize the media to inform the public of anything they may so choose.
With the upcoming election, the media is playing a big part in influencing voters. Different celebrities back different candidates publicly. Thus, the impressionable population can be influenced by their favorite celebrities’ choices. Furthermore, some celebrities choose to speak out for or against different candidates. An example of this can be seen in a CBS news clip (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C6urw_PWHYk). Matt Damon publicly criticizes Sarah Palin, possibly swinging the votes of some viewers away from McCain. Although Damon does raise some seemingly irrelevant topics, such as the existence of dinosaurs, just because he’s Matt Damon, some people will actually side with him. The media also plays a part in how the candidates can portray their personas. For example, in one of his books, Barack Obama talks about his past drug use, perhaps to make himself come across as more “normal“. It was later revealed by an article in the New York Times that Obama had in fact exaggerated the extent of his drug use. Even though Obama utilized the media to create his own persona, the media fired back and tried to destroy it.
Theresa- E+: This is a remarkable synopsis followed by informed contemporary political analysis. I'm impressed but was somewhat disappointed by the absence of a compelling question at the end of your post... you usually really jump start the debates - bring it back!
Cherrika - G-: Your summary of the film was well done, but it was DeNiro's character, Connie, who was the spin doctor. Good example from modern current events,but I remain unclear about wether you think the media's influence is positive or negative in modern society.
Ian- G: I like the implication that Wag the Dog was in itself a piece of propaganda and appreciate that you pointed this out! Do you think the media as an entity is leading the public more towards one candidate over the other?
Kadijat - E-: The Paris Hilton ad was slanderous for sure, but theirony to me in this ad is that McCain is pointing out that the Obama "Change" motto is a bit about celebrity building more than it is about what he does or doesn't stand for. Propaganda critiquing propaganda (not unlike the film we just viewed!) Thanks for sharing these incredible personal stories ... they were unique examples of how media shapes perspectives worldwide.
Jeremy - : I had hoepd to see a little more form you here considering how into media theory I know you are. Anyways, the post is logical and makes interesting allusions ot the motives behind mass media's role in American politics, though I wish you'd really elaborated on those references. (What ARE the motives?) Also, on the 90's music topic, are you poking at the appropriation of independent music culture by major labels? I want to know more about what I believe are interesting insights but not as general knowledge as you assume them to be.
Samantha - G: Strong synopsis of the film. Your notions on the "packaging" of candidates as a product is an interesting one. What words do you think is the modern equivalent to "Kennedy" in the current campaigns?
Rachel- E-: Insightful work that presents an interesting notion: bite the media and it will bite you back. This reminds us that the media can be minipulated as much as it minipulates us. I'm left wondering if it's FAIR for us as consumers of media to constantly blame the media for presenting mistruths if we aren't (as a culture) actively seeking out more information and "truth?"
F BLOCK & TERESA:
You all did an amazing job with this blog.I'm highly impressed with the level of analysis and maturity with which this class has been approaching discussion and written assignments. Your college professors won't know what hit them next year!
Theresa- E+: This is a remarkable synopsis followed by informed contemporary political analysis. I'm impressed but was somewhat disappointed by the absence of a compelling question at the end of your post... you usually really jump start the debates - bring it back!
Cherrika - G-: Your summary of the film was well done, but it was DeNiro's character, Connie, who was the spin doctor. Good example from modern current events,but I remain unclear about wether you think the media's influence is positive or negative in modern society.
Ian- G: I like the implication that Wag the Dog was in itself a piece of propaganda and appreciate that you pointed this out! Do you think the media as an entity is leading the public more towards one candidate over the other?
Kadijat - E-: The Paris Hilton ad was slanderous for sure, but theirony to me in this ad is that McCain is pointing out that the Obama "Change" motto is a bit about celebrity building more than it is about what he does or doesn't stand for. Propaganda critiquing propaganda (not unlike the film we just viewed!) Thanks for sharing these incredible personal stories ... they were unique examples of how media shapes perspectives worldwide.
Jeremy - : I had hoepd to see a little more form you here considering how into media theory I know you are. Anyways, the post is logical and makes interesting allusions ot the motives behind mass media's role in American politics, though I wish you'd really elaborated on those references. (What ARE the motives?) Also, on the 90's music topic, are you poking at the appropriation of independent music culture by major labels? I want to know more about what I believe are interesting insights but not as general knowledge as you assume them to be.
Samantha - G: Strong synopsis of the film. Your notions on the "packaging" of candidates as a product is an interesting one. What words do you think is the modern equivalent to "Kennedy" in the current campaigns?
Rachel- E-: Insightful work that presents an interesting notion: bite the media and it will bite you back. This reminds us that the media can be minipulated as much as it minipulates us. I'm left wondering if it's FAIR for us as consumers of media to constantly blame the media for presenting mistruths if we aren't (as a culture) actively seeking out more information and "truth?"
F BLOCK & TERESA:
You all did an amazing job with this blog.I'm highly impressed with the level of analysis and maturity with which this class has been approaching discussion and written assignments. Your college professors won't know what hit them next year!
Theresa- E+: This is a remarkable synopsis followed by informed contemporary political analysis. I'm impressed but was somewhat disappointed by the absence of a compelling question at the end of your post... you usually really jump start the debates - bring it back!
Cherrika - G-: Your summary of the film was well done, but it was DeNiro's character, Connie, who was the spin doctor. Good example from modern current events,but I remain unclear about wether you think the media's influence is positive or negative in modern society.
Ian- G: I like the implication that Wag the Dog was in itself a piece of propaganda and appreciate that you pointed this out! Do you think the media as an entity is leading the public more towards one candidate over the other?
Kadijat - E-: The Paris Hilton ad was slanderous for sure, but theirony to me in this ad is that McCain is pointing out that the Obama "Change" motto is a bit about celebrity building more than it is about what he does or doesn't stand for. Propaganda critiquing propaganda (not unlike the film we just viewed!) Thanks for sharing these incredible personal stories ... they were unique examples of how media shapes perspectives worldwide.
Jeremy - : I had hoepd to see a little more form you here considering how into media theory I know you are. Anyways, the post is logical and makes interesting allusions ot the motives behind mass media's role in American politics, though I wish you'd really elaborated on those references. (What ARE the motives?) Also, on the 90's music topic, are you poking at the appropriation of independent music culture by major labels? I want to know more about what I believe are interesting insights but not as general knowledge as you assume them to be.
Samantha - G: Strong synopsis of the film. Your notions on the "packaging" of candidates as a product is an interesting one. What words do you think is the modern equivalent to "Kennedy" in the current campaigns?
Rachel- E-: Insightful work that presents an interesting notion: bite the media and it will bite you back. This reminds us that the media can be minipulated as much as it minipulates us. I'm left wondering if it's FAIR for us as consumers of media to constantly blame the media for presenting mistruths if we aren't (as a culture) actively seeking out more information and "truth?"
F BLOCK & TERESA:
You all did an amazing job with this blog.I'm highly impressed with the level of analysis and maturity with which this class has been approaching discussion and written assignments. Your college professors won't know what hit them next year!
Anam Baig
1) What role does the media play in shaping American political and cultral perspectives?
The media plays a prime role in American culture and politics. A key example of the influence of the media would be the movie "Wag the Dog", which is about a president who wishes to avoid scandal and score a re-election. The president has been charged with sexual harassment by a teenage girl and asks his spin doctor to concoct a story that will distract the American public from this scandal. The spin doctor spins the story of a war in Albania, and along with the help of a Hollywood producer and other important figures, he fools the American people into believing that there really is a war. The spin doctor wanted to appeal to the American public, something that will make them believe their president's worth and re-elect him.
The media knows that the public wants a hero. The media appeals to this side of the American people. Tactics like these can easily fool many people, which is why the media is so imperitive to the culture of the United States; without the media, nothing would be known, no fads would be created. This country thrives on the media; without it, we would all be living in the dark.
2) How is media affecting the current presidential race?
Our nation is a democracy; that means that if we were to vote, we would have to be completely informed on the politician we want to be the face of our nation. Through the media, our presidential candidates reel in voters. Barack Obama and John McCain use media outlets, such as television, the radio, the internet, and print media to attract voters to their causes. The supporters who do not attend rallies or conventions can acquire all the action on their television sets or radios. These current candidates also use popular internet forums such as YouTube to encourage lay-people to participate in the presidential race. The media keeps voters up to date with what the candidates are up to; whether it be diplomatic trips to foreign nations or vacation time with their families. Our media informs voters about who our presidential candidates really are so when the time comes to decide, voters will make cultured and erudite decisions. The votes will ultimately be made on how much positive exposure each candidate received from the media and if that coverage was appealing to the people of the United States.
What role does the media play in shaping American Political and Cultural perspectives?
The media’s role today has developed tremendously throughout the years as technology has played a larger role in everyday life. The media is any type of print, video, news program, etc used to send a message to an audience. However, the media isn’t only limited to the truth. Media such as tabloids and gossip magazines can be completely fabricated. In the film “Wag the Dog,” Robert De Niero hired a movie producer to formulate an untrue war in Albania simply to take negative attention off the President who was running for reelection only a few days soon after. The President was accused of inappropriate sexual passes to an under aged girl who was visiting the White House on a tour. By creating a war and making putting the lives of Americans in what they believe to be possible danger, attention is then swayed from on the President to their new enemies in Albania.
How is media affecting the current Presidential race?
The media has an impact on every Presidential race whether negative or positive. Anything a candidate says can be cut and shaped into whatever angle the media wants to push. Media exposure of one sort or another determines which candidates will be able to reach the most potential voters, which will be selected by the major political parties, and, to a significant extent, which will be elected President of the United States.
Ann Morin Youssef
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