Media effects on campaign

[Esteban Manuel]

I write this because i need some help. I'm doing an essay in wich i relate the rethoric presidential campaigns (00 and 04 specially) to social clivages and independet/undecided voters (wich are a grey-area).

The media (specially newspapers and tv) are used to carring-out the message in wich i can study the rethoric.

Wich in your opinion is the function of media in the campaign and wich are the most representatives newspapers (i can't use t.v., there's no records)  to see the messages?

Your comments will help me to do a better job (and thus be happier) Thanks

[zachman]

There are two types of media: the smart media, and the dumb media. The smart media includes Sunday morning talk shows, round table shows, news analysis shows, and the nightly network news. The "Week in Review" sections in major newspapers would be considered smart media. The smart media brands a story, which may get picked up the dumb media. The dumb media includes Good Morning America and the like, Entertainment Tonight, People Magazine and other tabloids. The dumb media politically tends only to go as far as teaching political slogans, while the smart media follows up on them, and explains things in depth. That's my two cents.