In one of our final classes we discussed mock news shows such as The Daily Show with Jon Stewart and decided that they are info-tainment. They provide the information in an entertaining manner.
While perusing the politico website, I encountered a part of their website called "Politico Playback." In these videos, the politico staff comb through all the various late night info-tainment shows and highlight the most pertinent parts of the shows that are of interest to the visitors of politico.com. The clips are politics related and highlight what these late night comedians have to say about current political events and politicians.
The fact that a political website has a section devoted to clips from info-tainment news shows that they have an impact on the country as a whole and are deemed significant enough to watch by the people who frequent politico.
Thursday, May 12, 2011
Thursday, May 5, 2011
Conflict of Interest
The Wall Street Journal reported today that Fox News canceled its contracts with Newt Gingrich and Rick Santorum. This move follows their suspensions from the networks which resulted from their contemplating a run for president. They were canceled because they were in the process of declaring their intention to run by forming exploratory committees or filling the necessary paperwork to form an exploratory committee.
What I find most interesting in the article is the statistic reported by Media Matters, a watchdog group. Based on their tally, Gingrich and Santorum appeared on the show after their suspensions as often as they did prior to their suspensions.
Additionally, I think it quaint that the authors write "Politico first reported Fox's decision." Apparently, Politico is more "in the know" than the Wall Street Journal which happens to be owned by the same parent company as Fox News.
According to the article, Mike Huckabee is still contracted with Fox after giving mixed signals about a possible presidential run but not having taken the step of filling to form an exploratory committee.
I happen to believe that even though problems can arise from presidential candidates having their own TV shows, it may be beneficial. On the con side, it can be used as a bully pulpit, a place from which it is possible to attack political opponents without them having a real chance to respond. On the pro side, giving them a TV show will place them in the spotlight and allow for the public to better understand their positions and personalities so that they can really get to know the candidate and decide whether they feel that they would be a good president or not.
What I find most interesting in the article is the statistic reported by Media Matters, a watchdog group. Based on their tally, Gingrich and Santorum appeared on the show after their suspensions as often as they did prior to their suspensions.
Additionally, I think it quaint that the authors write "Politico first reported Fox's decision." Apparently, Politico is more "in the know" than the Wall Street Journal which happens to be owned by the same parent company as Fox News.
According to the article, Mike Huckabee is still contracted with Fox after giving mixed signals about a possible presidential run but not having taken the step of filling to form an exploratory committee.
I happen to believe that even though problems can arise from presidential candidates having their own TV shows, it may be beneficial. On the con side, it can be used as a bully pulpit, a place from which it is possible to attack political opponents without them having a real chance to respond. On the pro side, giving them a TV show will place them in the spotlight and allow for the public to better understand their positions and personalities so that they can really get to know the candidate and decide whether they feel that they would be a good president or not.
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