For more information
14 October 2008
Will the media affect the 2008 election?
As always, the media permanently plays a huge effect on our lives. We wake up day after day and are exposed to images that can truly alter our perception of the world. As the 208 election approaches, celebrities are playing a growing role in our view of the candidates and are trying to encourage younger voters to cast their vote. Celebrities have started ad campaigns in past elections such as "Rock the Vote" and efforts by younger television stations such as MTV to help persuade young people to get involved and VOTE. Recently, many A-list celebrities released a nearly 5 minute video, "5 Friends", (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VhDRVKDcXQo where they sarcastically tell viewers, "Don't Vote!" then offer up reasons to the contrary. Are their efforts really doing the job to get people in the voting booths? Additionally, a voter registration group released an ad, with Jessica Alba, wearing a Hannibal Lecter-esque mask touting the message--"Only you can silence yourself." But just as celebrities are inspiring people to vote, are some people getting the wrong ideas about candidates and their views? Shows such a Saturday Night Live, which have been around for years, cold possibly skew the view and audience perception of the candidates. People who are not informed about the issues and the election may just see and episode of SNL or the Daily Show and feel that they are informed about all that they need to know. But is this the case? Do these shows distort the ways that some Americans perceive the election and its surrounding issues? On the other hand, these shows also "lighten the mood" for this election; giving Americans an opportunity to perhaps even enjoy politics. But as the election draws nearer, Americans have to hope that young people with the right to vote are in fact doing so. The celebrity efforts will hopefully play a large enough role to make a difference in 2008. According to rockthevote.com, an estimated 2,353,224 young people have registered to vote in this years election. So, have the stars done a good job of selling civic duty?
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
Posts
10 comments:
I feel that although the media obviously plays a huge part in the campaign, most people have already known who they were going to vote for for some time.
I think that it's great that celebrities are using their popularity to tell people to vote. Many look up to them and may respect their simple request.
I do see the concern about comedic shows skewing the ideals of voters, but then again we must remember that most news stations are slanted one way or the other. There are few venues on television where you can get a totally unbiased overview of the candidates.
But then again this all relates back to my main idea that although the media is getting involved in the election, many have known who they were going to vote for since the end of the primaries. I think few have switched over just because a certain celebrity endorsed them or there was a funny joke on Saturday Night Live told about them.
This election will, in all likelihood, have record high youth vote turnout. Movements such as the ones cited by Ashley have helped young voters get involved, and credit has to be given to Barack Obama for energizing a largely apathetic youth population. I believe that this new wave of voters will be the most powerful force in deciding this election.
In regards to comedy shows such as SNL, they are distorting the facts about the candidate because all the show wants to do is get some laughs. Saturday Night live is not concerned about informing voters. All they want is high ratings, so they need to be funny.
I have no doubt that the media will affect the 2008 election. In addition, I think that it is great that celebrities encourage younger voters to get out and take part in our democratic process.
What worries me is that some first-time voters will vote for a candidate for superficial reasons. When Barack Obama became the leading candidate in the Democratic Primaries, thousands of college students were already sporting Obama pins and bumper stickers. I would advise first-time voters to look as thoroughly as they can into the issues, so they can choose the best candidate. While our favorite actors and music artists can play an important role in encouraging voter participation, they should not decide who we elect.
Nico, I could not agree with you more. This may seem superficial, but if you search facebook groups that support either candidate you will find overwelming support for Obama among young people. In fact, the it is not even close. Obviously I do not object to celebrities and and the media encouraging young people to vote, but they have been doing so only in direct support of Obama. Hollywood, for example, is extremely liberal and provides blanket support for Obama. New voters should take all information Hollywood provides about the election with a grain of salt. In addition, the media has provided far more coverage of Obama than for McCain, according to recent studies. There is no denying that the entertainment and media industry has already chosen their president, but we can't allow them to choose for us all.
I agree with Allissa. It is important to realize that while shows like the Daily Show often present information in a slanted sort of way, perhaps to make the material funnier, many of the "drier" news channels also present the information in a biased way.
In regards to celebrities getting the youth to vote, I believe that they have been doing a good job of reaching out and making voting "cool" and getting younger voters out to the booths. I agree with Jake in that I do think that this election is likely to have a record high youth vote turnout. I think this for two reasons. First, I think that MTV's campaigns to get youthful voters to come out and vote is becoming more and more effective each year since 1990. Additionally, Obama's appeals to young voters will also make voters feel more inclined to come out and vote. These two factors could help in setting a record high youth voter turnout
The media likes to dramatize the facts. In SNL, it makes good entertainment. In campaign ads, it persuades viewers to support a person or a cause. The media should not be the only source of information used to decide who to vote for. Instead, sources such as speeches and hard-core facts should also be taken into account. Nevertheless, I give props to the media, and celebrities, for instigating more young adults to vote in the upcoming election.
I think that any initiative to get people, especially young people, out to vote is a positive thing. However, I am wary that programs like "Rock the Vote" will have people registering to vote who are totally uninformed about where the candidates or they themselves stand on important issues.
Media outlets that distort facts and ads that are designed to mislead can have a strong influence over voters. Americans need to decide if we prefer a larger base of voters that are less aware of the significance of their vote or a smaller, more informed voter base. I personally believe that if a person doesn't have the initiative to go out and register to vote by themselves, they may not deserve to exercise that right and have their say on who leads our country.
I think the media plays a slight role in the election. Celebrities will be able to draw at least a few voters towards a certain candidate. News coverage will indirectly gain a candidate popularity as he is seen more than his opponent. However, I think this election will be determined for the most part by how sick people are of the Republican party and how much they believe Barack Obama and his plans.
The media has always played a significant role in politics, and this 2008 Election is no different. the "get out and vote" mentality has swept the nation and million of young people are registered to vote. however, merely registering is simple. the real queston lies in voter turnout rates. the number of young people that actually show up the to polls and vote may be much lower than the number of young people registered to vote. the media has done well and has succeeded in its mission. it will clearly effect the election. but, if one takes a closer look, the media that is directed toward the young voters will have a less-than-palpable impact on the election as a whole. this election will not be decided by the recent influx of young voters and the endorsement of celebrities, entirely. its just another on e of the myriad of factors that contributes to the 2008 presidential election.
Also, one thing that i have never really understood is why celebrities are the ones endorsing the "get out and vote" campaigns. often times, these celebrities are some of the most ill informed members of society. they merely read off of note cards and collect their checks at the end. they often times have no interest in politics or the outcome of the election. this is my opinion, of course, but it is one that seems correct. they may not be the most politically active members of society, yet they still pressure young voters to register and vote, even if they have no idea who they are voting for, or why.
Post a Comment