Democratic Primary Election. Vocal oppositions to the war pealed out across the country as a result of the television broadcasts. Rallies, protests and demonstrations began draft-resistance movements. Scenes of cruelty, maimings, bombings, dying Americans, and fleeing refugees flooded American homes everyday. Reporters did everything in their power to show Americans how brutal and barbarian the American troops were. Many historians claim that the disgruntlement of American society over the war rested almost exclusively on the shoulders of the television media. John F. Kennedy?s AssassinationWhen John F. Kennedy was shot while parading in Dallas, the news media were recording. After he was dead, they replayed the scene countless times for viewers in their homes. Then as that came to a close, they began to see Ruby murder Oswald, the state funeral, a tiny boy solemnly salute his father?s casket as it passed, and then finally the family light the Eternal Flame in Arlington National Cemetery. These things would forever have an affect on America. The media?s role in John F. Kennedy?s death transformed him, in the eyes of many, into a hero. Presidential CampaignsThe surfacing of television media into presidential campaigns set unique guidelines for presidential candidates. In some cases, performing well in front of a camera is the leading factor for candidates to be selected. In addition to this, television participation destabilizes political parties, and influences both the political agenda of the contender and voter turn out. The mass media provides information about the qualification of candidates, and issues that will confront the nation after one of those candidates assumes office. The information offered focuses on a candidate?s personality, style, image, capacity, relation to the public, philosophy, and government organization. Thus, presidents are elected based on how they are portrayed by reporters. These influences are fault...
