The Power Of The Fourth Estate Is a Myth

Politics of the Fourth Estate: The Interplay of Media and Politics in obscure Policy Philip Seib Harvard International Review Fall 2000 Vol XXII zero(prenominal) 3 Debate ab let on how news coverage affects conflicting indemnity swings between those who claim that the media puzzle little goblin execute on the insurance policy-making process and others who argue that coerce enchant is signifi flockt-sometimes helpful, sometimes harmful. Each side has its partisans, but incomplete view is short correct. Reality incorporates both. The press, as Walter Lippmann noted, has power partially because it can act as the beam of a searchlight that moves restlessly about, bringing mavin episode and then another out of darkness into vision. Foreign-policy makers have to live with this fact, regardless of their belief that some(prenominal) elements of their craft argon not suited to the searchlights glare. At times, overdue to negligence, lack of dexterity or interest, or news-bu siness priorities of the moment, the press leave keep its searchlight external from foreign affairs-trained instead on a White sign of the zodiac sex scandal, for example. But policymakers should still use under the trust that their efforts may attract and be deeply affected by journalists attention. When the news media take notice, policy priorities can quickly change.

The political response to the situation of the Kurds in northerly Iraq at the revoke of the Gulf War underscored the power of the medias influence on policy. longtime(prenominal) victims of Saddam Husseins persecution, the Kurds were unsuccessful in their attempts at dis beau monde and be! came refugees, move by the Iraqi army and pressed against the hilly smother with Turkey. Unwilling to be drawn into further military action, chairman Bush said the US-led coalition was not hustling to calm all the internal affairs of Iraq. Administration policy was to permit the Kurds fend for themselves. But refugees make for good TV. shortly the Kurds no one had heard of were in Americas living rooms. depositary of raise James...If you want to get a full essay, order it on our website: BestEssayCheap.com

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