politics in the United States. Newspapers, radio, magazines and television

are able to use their own judgment when reporting current events. The

power of the mass media is an asset to the government in some instances and

a stumbling block in others. Recent technology and regulations given to

the mass media have improved the means by which the public can get

information. The final say in what goes into a story, however, belongs to

the reporter alone. His opinions and biases are often a main part of the

The mass media is the means by which the citizens of the United States

are informed of current events in politics. This gives the media huge

amounts of power and control. Supreme Court Justice Lewis F. Powell stated

in 1974, "An informed public depends upon accurate and effective reporting

by the news media. No individual can obtain for himself the information

needed for the intelligent discharge of his political responsibilities."

Powell is saying that it is the media's responsibility to inform the

citizens of the news, because people cannot get this information by

themselves, and in order for the people to

news, the press therefore acts as an agent of the public at large.

information, so eventually, television caused a decline in newspaper usage.

A reporter's own opinion can also affect the final message the public

owners of broadcasting companies can choose which side of a view they want

The influence of the mass media affects politics in the United States

Some common words found in the essay are:
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Approximate Word count = 1728
Approximate Pages = 7 (250 words per page double spaced)