It has been taught in school that the United States’ government is comprised of the legislative, executive, and judicial branches. While teachers have endlessly emphasized the power of America’s presidents, senators, and judges, they have failed to inform their students of one of the most powerful forces today—the media. It is often forgotten that the media does not just provide its viewers with information, but shapes their way of thinking. It has become one of the strongest players in the political realm and is even being called the “fourth branch of government”. However, many are unaware of how and why the media has earned itself this name. Therefore, by examining the origin and implications of the media’s new title, while also considering
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Initially it was not used to refer to the media, but rather the new Federal agencies appointed by the executive branch during Roosevelt’s presidency. Only in 1949 was the press associated with the title “the fourth branch of government” after newspaper editor Herbert Broker brought it to the world’s attention. A decade later, a journalist by the name of Douglass Carter reinforced this idea in his book The Fourth Branch of Government. These writers “were convinced that, insofar as the press did act as a true political player (rather than an unbiased observer of politics), it corrupted itself and went astray from its primary responsibility—to convey important information and to act as a nonpartisan watchdog for the public against all trespassers on their rights” (Buecher 1). By coming to this realization, these writers discovered the new role of the media in America. The press no longer fulfilled its original purpose, and opted to become more politically driven rather than impartial. Therefore, although the term “the fourth branch of government” was not originally directed at the media, it has been used as a synonym for the press for decades because of two writers that recognized the shifting role of the …show more content…
As previously stated, the media is a “shadow government” that holds the government accountable. This is beneficial for the people since it makes important news regarding the government accessible to multitudes around the country. A practical example of this would be the media constantly checking on whether elected officials are fulfilling their promises made to voters. This is especially relevant today with the election of President Trump. Whether it is a media platforms that likes him or a media platform that dislikes him, both are united in the pursuit of verifying whether he is accomplishing everything he said he would. Many supporters of the media believe that providing such information is why the media should be considered the fourth branch of government. Uriah J. Fields, a strong believer in the power of media, said this: “think for a moment about the things that would not be known, the abusers who would not be brought to justice and the services that would not be provided for "we the people" if it were not for the media… How else will the people know except the media tells them? How else will governmental officials hear the people except the media let them know?” (Fields 1). Because the media gives people the opportunity to voice their opinion to those
Initially it was not used to refer to the media, but rather the new Federal agencies appointed by the executive branch during Roosevelt’s presidency. Only in 1949 was the press associated with the title “the fourth branch of government” after newspaper editor Herbert Broker brought it to the world’s attention. A decade later, a journalist by the name of Douglass Carter reinforced this idea in his book The Fourth Branch of Government. These writers “were convinced that, insofar as the press did act as a true political player (rather than an unbiased observer of politics), it corrupted itself and went astray from its primary responsibility—to convey important information and to act as a nonpartisan watchdog for the public against all trespassers on their rights” (Buecher 1). By coming to this realization, these writers discovered the new role of the media in America. The press no longer fulfilled its original purpose, and opted to become more politically driven rather than impartial. Therefore, although the term “the fourth branch of government” was not originally directed at the media, it has been used as a synonym for the press for decades because of two writers that recognized the shifting role of the …show more content…
As previously stated, the media is a “shadow government” that holds the government accountable. This is beneficial for the people since it makes important news regarding the government accessible to multitudes around the country. A practical example of this would be the media constantly checking on whether elected officials are fulfilling their promises made to voters. This is especially relevant today with the election of President Trump. Whether it is a media platforms that likes him or a media platform that dislikes him, both are united in the pursuit of verifying whether he is accomplishing everything he said he would. Many supporters of the media believe that providing such information is why the media should be considered the fourth branch of government. Uriah J. Fields, a strong believer in the power of media, said this: “think for a moment about the things that would not be known, the abusers who would not be brought to justice and the services that would not be provided for "we the people" if it were not for the media… How else will the people know except the media tells them? How else will governmental officials hear the people except the media let them know?” (Fields 1). Because the media gives people the opportunity to voice their opinion to those