Politics and the media have long been intimately involved with each other, with media strongly setting an agenda in which politics is very important. (Harris 1999,p.167) "Ourperceived reality of the real world is largely a product of the media." (Harris 1999,p.186) It is not known which influences more but there are definitely two sides to the story. Many studies have been done to decide but each comes out with different answers. Manysay that the media has more of an impact on politics than does politics on the media. "Thetwo have always been natural adversaries." "Skewering each other in print and inconversation, but generally enjoying each other's company. (Forum) It is the role of the mass media to keep the general public informed and up to date withcurrent news and events in their community, state, country, and around the world. Inpolitics the media can either build or damage a political figure by changing the public'sopinion. Many people depend heavily on television as their source of information wherethey see or hear about political issues, events, and policies because television is the singlemost powerful medium of global communication and nightly newscasts are the mostfrequently watched source of information for the public. (Forum) The mass media iseverywhere we turn, from television sets, to airwaves, to print, and even the Internet. In their role, are they actually giving us the right message or is it a rumor, which youoften see in tabloids in which it is created just to sell? 75% of the public believes that thetop priority of the media is to find and report important information on public issues. Approximately 18% say that it is to give readers and viewers what they ask for. Less than6% say that it should be for profit. (Forum) The Forum Magazine (September 1994) alsodiscussed a survey done by Kees, a former executive editor of The Fresno Bee, andPhillips former chief of staff of the Republican National Commit...
