Here's the gist.
"A small group of men, numbering perhaps no more than a dozen anchormen, commentators, and executive producers, settle upon the 20 minutes or so of film and commentary that’s to reach the public. This selection is made from the 90 to 180 minutes that may be available. Their powers of choice are broad.
They decide what 40 to 50 million Americans will learn of the day’s events in the nation and in the world. We cannot measure this power and influence by the traditional democratic standards, for these men can create national issues overnight. They can make or break by their coverage and commentary a moratorium on the war. They can elevate men from obscurity to national prominence within a week. They can reward some politicians with national exposure and ignore others."
People are giving Arthur C. Clarke a lot of credit these days for predicting telecommunication. In the same way, Agnew saw the dissolution of political discourse when it was still in its embryonic phase.
His conclusion is a stunning one, and one that we've failed act on ever since he made it in 1969.
"Now, my friends, we’d never trust such power, as I’ve described, over public opinion in the hands of an elected government. It’s time we questioned it in the hands of a small unelected elite. The great networks have dominated America’s airwaves for decades. The people are entitled a full accounting their stewardship."
No comments:
Post a Comment