The Media and US Politics

Abstract

Politicians in the US have to be constantly aware of the media. Almost every household in America tunes into radio and television, and with an average of 5.6 radios per household and 2.2 televisions per household, all the family can listen and watch. The 80 percent of households with VCRs spend $6.6 billion on film rental, and cinemas receive a further $6.5 billion in receipts. Total newspaper distribution is around 60 million. The media in all its facets provides the formats through which politics, policies, the polity and politicians are viewed by the American electorate. Politicians are anxious to be in the media spotlight, but are concerned that thereby they expose themselves to independent analysis by the powerful branches of the communications industry. It is not surprising, then, that a tense relationship exists between American politicians and the media.