Results that Correlate with Race

"I asked a group of ten registered voters, who they voted for, whether the media affected their choice, and did they think that the media should be regulated. My group consisted of five white males and five black males. All lived in an upper-middle-class neighborhood and were employed.

I was very careful in choosing the group, because I wanted them in the same economic bracket, but from different races. Realizing that if I chose someone from the inner-city, they would not have the same outlook on the media dealing with political issues, as would a person in an upper-middle-class bracket, I decided that it would be easier to get in touch with someone in an upper middle class category. . .

Ten stated that they were influenced by the media to some degree. 'Seeing a candidate's face over and over makes that person stick out in my mind,' said the first man that I interviewed, who happened to be of the black race. He felt that the media has the power to influence the voter in any direction. He did not, however, feel that the media was over-using their power.

The voter felt that the media has less of an effect on local elections than on presidential ones. There is more television and newspaper coverage of presidential elections, therefore the media has more power to influence a voter. The man felt that this year's election was handled better than others in the past. He was impressed with the fact that the candidates participated on more television talk shows. The candidates used free advertisement more than ever before, in order to publicize themselves more.

He was also impressed with the fact that each received equal air time. The voter also discussed with me the effects that Ross Perot had on the elections. He felt that Perot gave an added boost to the election. 'Perot brought about a new age in the election process, especially in the Presidential election.' With his grassroots-type campaign, and personal funds that contribute to his cause, Perot brought the media's involvement in the Presidential campaign to a new high.

The man was quite impressed with the media's handling of the election. . .

Another person . . . felt that the media has too much power, and should have stricter regulations put on them, to insure that they will be controlled. . .

In conclusion, all of the people that I interviewed seemed to feel the same way. That was that the media did play a big part in electing people to office and should be monitored so that they will not be biased in their reporting. If they are not, the American people run the risk of electing someone who is not best suited for the job." FL