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.