Internet Sites
Since the beginning of modern technology and the creation of the Internet, political campaigns have drastically changed. Now, candidates running for office incorporate Internet advertisements and websites into budgets and campaign as a method of connecting with masses of people. Youtube.com and Myspace.com are two examples of these large Internet websites. Each features videos, pictures, event schedules, and brief summaries depicting candidate’s political ideals and/or their most recent speech. These sites are used to not only access many people, especially the younger generation, but also influence their votes. “Virtually anyone can be a photojournalist,” of who can post full length video campaign ads on youtube.com. These ads, paid for on television are free on youtube.com and provide an alternative method of reaching young voters.
The only dilemma to these advertisements and extra publicity is the idea of both parties posting political ads of their own; therefore, campaigns must be vigilant on what is being posted as “candidates do not have as much control over the information.” If a voter wanted to vote based on the campaign ads, one could turn to youtube.com to view them and decide for themselves who the better candidate is. The site allows voters and politicians alike to express their message.
Myspace.com and other online profile sites are also being utilized by campaigning politicians. These profiles, discussion boards, blogs, etc. bring a greater standard the politician must live up to. In television, physical appearance matters whereas on the internet, politicians must be “more authentic” in order to succeed in using online media to attract voters. Internet users, especially myspace.com users, want straight to the point information rather than a long “beat around the bush” explanation, otherwise they will move on to someone else who will provide that. Also, most myspace.com users are able to add candidates as their friend. This would allow them to affiliate with a particular person and party, persuade their vote, and educate them on politics. Not to mention, this would allow the myspace.com user’s tens of hundreds of friends open access to a candidate’s page.
Source:
"Technology Pushes Politics Into New Frontiers." Morning Edition. National Public Radio. 31 Oct. 2006. 31 Oct. 2006.
Conclusion
The development of the Internet has had positive and negative influences. It can reach a wider audience which drives the per viewer cost of advertising down and is becoming a major vehicle in the political process. As expected there are problems that have arisen, to which the voters must be cautious of. Television, for its many benefits, has remained a strong influence in politics. Technology has altered the way campaigns and elections are run and have given the voter more knowledge and ability to partake in the government which represents them.
Since the beginning of modern technology and the creation of the Internet, political campaigns have drastically changed. Now, candidates running for office incorporate Internet advertisements and websites into budgets and campaign as a method of connecting with masses of people. Youtube.com and Myspace.com are two examples of these large Internet websites. Each features videos, pictures, event schedules, and brief summaries depicting candidate’s political ideals and/or their most recent speech. These sites are used to not only access many people, especially the younger generation, but also influence their votes. “Virtually anyone can be a photojournalist,” of who can post full length video campaign ads on youtube.com. These ads, paid for on television are free on youtube.com and provide an alternative method of reaching young voters.
The only dilemma to these advertisements and extra publicity is the idea of both parties posting political ads of their own; therefore, campaigns must be vigilant on what is being posted as “candidates do not have as much control over the information.” If a voter wanted to vote based on the campaign ads, one could turn to youtube.com to view them and decide for themselves who the better candidate is. The site allows voters and politicians alike to express their message.
Myspace.com and other online profile sites are also being utilized by campaigning politicians. These profiles, discussion boards, blogs, etc. bring a greater standard the politician must live up to. In television, physical appearance matters whereas on the internet, politicians must be “more authentic” in order to succeed in using online media to attract voters. Internet users, especially myspace.com users, want straight to the point information rather than a long “beat around the bush” explanation, otherwise they will move on to someone else who will provide that. Also, most myspace.com users are able to add candidates as their friend. This would allow them to affiliate with a particular person and party, persuade their vote, and educate them on politics. Not to mention, this would allow the myspace.com user’s tens of hundreds of friends open access to a candidate’s page.
Source:
"Technology Pushes Politics Into New Frontiers." Morning Edition. National Public Radio. 31 Oct. 2006. 31 Oct. 2006
Conclusion
The development of the Internet has had positive and negative influences. It can reach a wider audience which drives the per viewer cost of advertising down and is becoming a major vehicle in the political process. As expected there are problems that have arisen, to which the voters must be cautious of. Television, for its many benefits, has remained a strong influence in politics. Technology has altered the way campaigns and elections are run and have given the voter more knowledge and ability to partake in the government which represents them.
posted by Christopher DeSanto at 8:03 PM
1 Comments:
I touched on this impact in one of my own posts and I think it has alot to do with the on demand affect that internet allows people to access. Do you think that blogs and podcasts will soon develop the attention to detail as TV or YouTube have, or is all about the content?
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