Journalistic Media In 'The Influencing Machine'

In Brooke Gladstone’s graphic novel entitled “The Influencing Machine”, journalistic media is evaluated throughout its evolution. Due to the complexity of the subject, many different qualities of the media are explored throughout the novel; however, four main, controversial themes are always evident, and those four are the purpose, necessity, honesty, and reliability of journalistic media. After reading Gladstone’s informative graphic novel, enough information can be acquired in order to form valid, cohesive opinions regarding different characteristics of journalistic media. Throughout history, all prosperous phenomena share one commonality: they’re purposeful. Journalistic media is no exception to this vital pattern; if it wasn’t serving a valued purpose, the media would not have survived and prospered as long as it has. In “The Influencing Machine”, the media’s objective is explored when it’s stated that “By the mid-1950’s, more than half the nation’s living rooms have a TV set, which serves as a kind of national mirror… It defines America,”(Gladstone 103). …show more content…
As William Shakespeare once said, “No legacy is so rich as honesty,”. Thankfully, journalistic media today has adopted this Shakespearean conduct as their own when they deliver news. Gladstone acknowledges this when she claims, “Journalism has entered a new era of openness,”(Gladstone 47). Being open with their stories has created a mutual trust between the journalists and their listeners that the information being received is true. For example, “The Influencing Machine” describes an instance of this, “When Walter Cronkite ends his CBS newscast with… facts, unseasoned and served deadpan,”(Gladstone 103). Delivery of factual, untouched information is crucial to ensuring that all journalistic media fans are being armed with legitimate, practical material to share amongst fellow