Mass Media and it’s strong hold on the American People :: Essays Papers

Mass Media and it’s strong hold on the American People â€Å"If you vote for me, I promise a brighter future!† This is a slogan that has been used over and over by countless politicians throughout the history of our country. However, the difference between a politician who made this statement sixty years ago and one who makes it today is enormous. Somehow over the years, the leaders of our country took a once trusted and adored institution and turned it into a national symbol of distrust. Thus we now live in society where very few Americans could honestly state that they trust politicians. So, did politicians become more devious and manipulative post 1950, or has the increase in mass media turned the American people into a cynical society? As our country entered into the second half of the 20th century, many US citizens knew very little about what went on throughout the world a politics. This all changed with the introduction of mass media. Finally the American people were able to see the effects of every decision that Washington made. Presidents were now able to deliver speeches to every living room throughout the country. Everything that went on throughout the country was now being exposed to the American People, be it through television, radio or printed press. With the end of World War II, our country began to enter this new era of mass media. Almost instantaneously, the public began to have access to the world of politics. So, ready or not, the American people were now going to have front row tickets to over fifty years of deception and scandals. The show began with President Dwight Eisenhower lying to the public on national TV, attempting to deny US involvement in a espionage. They were then fortunate enough to learn about how the CIA had entered into an alliance with the mob in a failed attempt to oust Fidel Castro. This relationship is also one that many believe led to the assassination of John F. Kennedy in 1963. The government then decided its policy during the 60’s should be to lie and undermine the American people. This political decision was one that created a division in our country that had not been present since the Civil War. Finally, Nixon was elected, and the American people began to have new hope for happier times. The American people seemed hopeful for new beginnings and thought that maybe this was a president that they could trust.