Media: Print Media Has Less Political Clout Than Other Forms Essay, Research Paper
The Print Media Is Less Effective Than Other Media Types
The print media has little significance in shaping public reaction to
political events in this age of CNN and news ON-LINE. This is because of the
audience, work, and time involved in each. That is, the number of people that
each reaches, the amount of work involved to get the scoop, and the amount of
time it takes each to broadcast the news.
The first reason, the amount of people that the news reaches, is
probably the biggest factor. Television is watched by most of the population
whereas, the amount of people that receive a newspaper, or other source of
obtaining news information, such as NEWSWEEK, is considerably less. Also,
television offers a variety of channels and programs, which means a more
complete story, as opposed to a newspaper which might only offer one view.
Another reason that television is preferred to print is because of the
amount of work involved. The newspaper, or a magazine, is something that you
have to go out and get, or even worse, wait for. News is not readily available,
and waiting can be unpleasant if you are anxious for the inside scoop.
Television, on the other hand, is available on a daily basis, and it can be
turned on at any. Satellite owners have an even greater advantage, they can find
global news and have a greater number of choices such as which news program to
watch. Also, if a person is illiterate or a poor reader, it is quite obvious
that they will choose television over a newspaper. Television is a much easier
alternative than obtaining news through print.
A third and very important reason that print is the less effective
method of obtaining information is time. It takes much longer than watching
television or listening to the radio. For example, if a person works a lot and
spends his other time taking care of a family and driving to and from work, then
that person is going to choose the radio over the newspaper. Also, the radio is
free, whereas a newspaper costs money.
The print media is less effective because of these reasons. If
newspapers wanted to be more effective than they would have to lower the amount
of time and effort involved in reading the paper, and they would have to reach a
greater audience. If they were to do this then they would probably be much more
effective. But until they do this, the print media will never be as effective as
television or the radio.