American Government Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words - 1

American Government - Research Paper Example Lynda (2000) asserts that, politicians use newspapers, television, radio, and the internet in seeking support from voters and influencing public opinions. Television in America has been entwined with every political process, ranging from coverage of key political events and organizations to effects on political campaigns and elections. Currently political advertising in America is the main form of communication between voters and candidates. Election candidates use television spots and television debates to sell their policies to the electorate (Richard, 1998). Through television, candidates are able to defend themselves against false accusations, for example, corruption charges. Also, television exposes the conduct of various candidates, thus enabling the public to access this information. Television acts as a public watchdog on government activities; television keeps an eye on the governing process and government institutions. Coverage of political processes on television has a more impact on political campaigns and elections as compared to other political processes. Most Americans relies on television news, television debates, and television spots to obtain information about politics. Through coverage of political processes on television, candidates are able to enhance, sell, and influence the views of their policies (Lynda, 2000). On the other hand, voters are able to analyze policies of various candidates thereby influencing on the outcome of the election (Lynda, 2000). The following are the reasons of using television spots in political advertising. First, spots overcome partisan selectivity; the spots are usually seen by all voters regardless of their parties. Second, electorate learns more about political issues from television spots than from television debates and news. Third, an election candidate and his/her campaign team directly control the content of the television spots. Fourth, television spots can reach a much