how does media affect politics?
David Perlmutter: If you look at my discussion above, I list some ways. But generally, I think what media do is to frame issues and to tell us what is important to think about. For example, there are issues like the economy that people are worried about and don’t need television or the Internet to tell us are important. On the other hand, there are many smaller issues that become big ones because of media attention. During every political campaign, the candidates spend a huge amount of money and focus a great deal of attention on media. They know it can decide an election. Aussie08: how does the expansion of new communication technologies such as the internet affect the election process? Has it helped or hindered the efforts of this year’s candidates? David Perlmutter: Many effects (see above). I think in general that the Internet has helped candidates get the message out to more people than ever before. It is now much easier to get political information and possible to create your own
