Broadcasting presidential elections on television has been influential in the United States since the 1960’s. Some think it has heavily influenced who is elected, made elections fairer and more accessible, and even moved candidates from pursuing issues to pursuing image. Holding a presidential election today without a television debate would seem almost undemocratic, that’s not what many people thought at the time of the first debates.
First of all, the advent of television in the late 1940’s gave rise to belief that a new era was opening in public communication. One of the great contributions expected of the television lay in its presumed capacity to inform and stimulate the political interest of the American electorate. “Television, with
First of all, the advent of television in the late 1940’s gave rise to belief that a new era was opening in public communication. One of the great contributions expected of the television lay in its presumed capacity to inform and stimulate the political interest of the American electorate. “Television, with