The Media

Some resources I used as a Civics/Government teacher discussed the role of media in the governing process. Some resources actually referred to public media as a "fourth branch of government". The point made was that the media industry has a tremendous influence on how people think about issues and their representatives in government. The influence affects how citizens advocate for their issue positions to their Congressperson, and how they vote in elections. People for the most part find out about what's going on in our country through media. Information is filtered through media owner policies, the hidden or blatant bias of editorial writers and even - though often subtly - by those who are assigned to simply report the news. Studies have shown that many people can watch the same accident at an intersection and give different accounts of what specifically happened. This simple example illustrates a dilemma. Personal values and a person's level of observational and writing skills exemplify how people can unintentionally distort the news. The dilemma is that a democracy depends on well informed citizens and, despite the fact we have a generally well educated population, it's hard to be well informed when news sources are biased.

The growth of digital/electronic mediums such as Facebook, Twitter, email, internet databases and search engines have exponentially increased the sources of information that affect how Americans form opinions. Legislators at all levels of government must thoughtfully use multiple mediums to communicate with constituents. As your Congressman I will initiate legislation that balances the basic right to free speech in these burgeoning mediums with managing the potentially harmful impact that unrestrained dissemination of inaccurate or otherwise harmful information could have. The instantaneous, world-wide capability to disseminate information is a relatively recent phenomenon. We must understand it and make timely, thoughtful adjustments to statutes and regulations that protect basic American rights. Spreading libelous or treasonous information is, for example, unconstitutional.

Whether it is the equivalent of a fourth branch of government or not, media has become a controversial topic in our country. Some hosts on some talk radio programs, for example, are more intent on entertaining than informing, more intent on arousing emotions than encouraging thoughtful dialog. Different radio and television stations promote the ideologies of Republicans or Democrats and tilt coverage to fit their bias. Attracting listeners by arousing emotions and encouraging arguments has become a marketing practice for some media. The need for citizens to learn to determine what is fact, what is opinion and what to believe has become an increasingly important critical thinking skill. The media industry in the United States must do its part to help Americans be thoughtfully informed participants in our democracy.