The Media Isn't All Bad

"The media isn't all bad. It has a tremendous potential to become a positive aspect on the election scene." WI

"For years now, people have complained about what a travesty our newspapers, magazines, and evening news shows are. But the simple truth is the media is not that bad.

For the most part, our legitimate news sources are accurate. They may be biased at times, but they usually present the whole story. And what's wrong with being biased? Does it really affect what we believe? If it does, we have a serious problem. Certainly we are influenced by what we see (factual evidence), but does biased broadcasting actually change our views completely? The American people are not stupid, or at least they shouldn't be, nor are they easily manipulated.

As a matter of fact, although a majority of journalists are Democrats, and a majority of those Democrats liberal Democrats, their political standings often don't even affect their spoken or printed report.

When I would look at a Newsweek or U.S. News and World Report with a story on the recent election (articles printed prior to the election, that is), they would tell the different views of each candidate, weigh advantages to disadvantages of each issue/idea, and give a realistic perspective to everything. The phrase 'When I want an editorial, I'll ask for it' is heard by those magazines. Of course there is an opinionated column or two in there, like in any other publication, but so what?

"We must see the media as an advantage and a great source of knowledge which has helped to enrich our lives. . . .

The media is there to find truth and express it in a professional fashion. If we look at the media in a positive light, we can see the benefits. . .outweigh the negative. . . This is why the media does and should play a large role in helping to choose our candidates for national office. The media should be commended for their superb job and effort to help inform us on political matters." TN

"According to a local influential lawyer, 'A well-informed public is the cornerstone of a democracy.' This lawyer feels that the media are an absolute necessity. If it were not for the reportive and investigative ability of the media, the voters would have to accept the candidates' personal accounts of their characters. The media also help the voters to sort out the rumors that arise during elections. The media make it possible to draw the line between truth and rumor." AL

"Generally, the media merely becomes a scapegoat for either the ignorance or the apathy of the people." IL

"Overall the media is a wonderful, useful service to the American public. They bring us the news we need to know when it comes time for elections. They also bring us the information we need to know. " WI

"In my opinion, the media works hard and does a fine job at what they're doing. . . My overall evaluation of the media coverage is that it's good as it stands, and I think it is and will be improving. Now it's up to the public to get involved." NE

"The press is as vital to the nation as the nervous system is to the body. The press relays information to the individual portions of the nation so that it can react properly. Only by forcing fair coverage of both candidates can the flow of information be adequate. Although our system has its flaws, we have to appreciate that it functions extraordinarily well given its job description." OK

"Despite having a party preference, a member of the media must present the facts about each candidate truthfully. Therefore, because one might have to go against his beliefs, I think that being a member of the media is one of the most challenging and emotionally draining jobs in the world." AR

"The press does the best job they can to filter the facts out of all the propaganda thrown at them. Journalism is not an easy job and if anything, those that are in that line of work should be commended for their part in helping the public to decide which candidate they want to vote for. . . .most of the time they are very helpful in the decision making process in the election of our nation's officials." KS

"The media just helps people make up their minds a lot faster than they would other wise." MI

"The media do a very good job of informing the public. It takes people who are organized and people dedicated to their jobs, people who can take criticism from others, and people who can obtain facts and information rather than rumors." WV

"It is the media that narrows down our choices for candidates for national offices by what they find after researching certain ones. It is the media that informs the public of the plans of the candidates, and what they will do for us as a nation. Furthermore, the media manages to filter out any dangerous people. . . .the media also challenges our candidates by raising questions. . .If a certain candidate has shortchanged us, and not given out enough information about him/herself, they will not last long in the media." NH

"From a holistic view, though, our political system and media coverage are the best in the world, and while we sometimes might not agree with everything that is done or said, we should, as a whole, support the system and be thankful that technology does allow us to be well informed and be active participants in our election processes." OK

"If it wasn't for the media today people between the ages of 18-24 would be unduly influenced by the (votes of their parents.) Today, because of the media, we can decide for ourselves by watching television or reading the newspaper." MN

"My opinions of the media are more good than bad. I feel that more often than not, the media does a great job in reporting to the world. Through this assignment, I have found a great interest in the media. With all of these factors in mind, I think we are very lucky to have such dedicated people that will give us the news daily." OH

"We are one of the few countries (that is) able to know so much about such issues because of the media we have and the rights that allow them to do some of the things that they do. Would we really want that changed? OH

"The media keeps the candidate in check. . . The media acts as an information booth which on a daily basis relays important actions or ideas which the candidate has announced he wished to implement." MA

"If the media did not print it, some people would never know it." IN

"Without the newsmen and women, people would be left in the dark about the crazy world we call politics." WV

"In conclusion, the media's role is more helpful than harmful." NY