This iReport is part of an assignment:
Sights and sounds of the DNC
More from AdriLaz
More iReports you should see
For the People, by the Media
The 2012 Presidential Elections: a time when two respectable candidates step forward with their plans for a better America. When political parties unite at conventions to support their preferred candidate, who speaks of a more glorious, successful America, if the people vote for him; when the needs of the people are met with promises and yet…though hope seems to be instilled in this country, is there also a sense of skepticism?
The question remains, what factors go into swaying voters this way or that?
The great Abraham Lincoln, through The Gettysburg Address, promised a “…government, for the people, by the people…” but in today’s election, is it for the people, by the media?
For the last two weeks, the Republican and Democratic Conventions have consumed a majority of our TV time. As I approach the voting age, and also living in Charlotte, North Carolina, I have become increasingly interested in this election. My house is about thirty minutes away from the Time Warner Cable Arena, where President Barack Obama, Vice-President Joe Biden and their supporters stood at the podium to rally up the Democratic crowd. The week before in Tampa, Florida was the same, with Republican candidates Mitt Romney and Paul Ryan.
With televisions and the internet being the catalysts of the 21st century, my family and I have always found it humorous to see how two major TV news stations report the news! I know a little bit about propaganda and marketing, having just started my senior year of high school, and watching these conventions, I got a chance to observe news in action. My family and I watched CNN and Fox News. Each network claims to be “objective” and “balanced” news stations.
How “good” one interpreted Governor Romney and President Obama’s speeches depended on the coverage of a network. During the speeches, reporters would cut in with side conversations to bolster their point or play the role of “fact checker.” Of course, it’s good to respectfully have different viewpoints, but when it comes to media, the opinions should be based on straight facts as opposed to an emotional pull. What both networks did agree on was that the spouses, Ann Romney and the First Lady, Michelle Obama, delivered good speeches.
With the media being so influential, it’s key that they deliver all the facts and report without bias. As the school year is just beginning, I give these news channels a 7 in hopes that by the time November 6th rolls around, they will have progressed to a 10.
The question remains, what factors go into swaying voters this way or that?
The great Abraham Lincoln, through The Gettysburg Address, promised a “…government, for the people, by the people…” but in today’s election, is it for the people, by the media?
For the last two weeks, the Republican and Democratic Conventions have consumed a majority of our TV time. As I approach the voting age, and also living in Charlotte, North Carolina, I have become increasingly interested in this election. My house is about thirty minutes away from the Time Warner Cable Arena, where President Barack Obama, Vice-President Joe Biden and their supporters stood at the podium to rally up the Democratic crowd. The week before in Tampa, Florida was the same, with Republican candidates Mitt Romney and Paul Ryan.
With televisions and the internet being the catalysts of the 21st century, my family and I have always found it humorous to see how two major TV news stations report the news! I know a little bit about propaganda and marketing, having just started my senior year of high school, and watching these conventions, I got a chance to observe news in action. My family and I watched CNN and Fox News. Each network claims to be “objective” and “balanced” news stations.
How “good” one interpreted Governor Romney and President Obama’s speeches depended on the coverage of a network. During the speeches, reporters would cut in with side conversations to bolster their point or play the role of “fact checker.” Of course, it’s good to respectfully have different viewpoints, but when it comes to media, the opinions should be based on straight facts as opposed to an emotional pull. What both networks did agree on was that the spouses, Ann Romney and the First Lady, Michelle Obama, delivered good speeches.
With the media being so influential, it’s key that they deliver all the facts and report without bias. As the school year is just beginning, I give these news channels a 7 in hopes that by the time November 6th rolls around, they will have progressed to a 10.
What do you think of this story?
Select one of the options below. Your feedback will help tell CNN producers what to do with this iReport. If you'd like, you can explain your choice in the comments below.
Be and editor! Choose an option below:
More from this assignment - Sights and sounds of the DNC
iReport welcomes a lively discussion, so comments on iReports are not pre-screened before they post. See the iReport community guidelines for details about content that is not welcome on iReport.
© 2013 Cable News Network. 
Comments