Aspects Of Mass Media And American Politics

This thesis attempts to study the relationship between mass media and American politics in general, and how the American ruling bloc achieves the political interests through media effects in particular. A great number of facts are cited here in supporting the arguments put forward by the author.This thesis endeavors to elaborate on the following viewpoints:1. Since the United States owns the greatest power of technology and finance, its mass media numbers first in the world, which spreads all over the world the American ideology through numerous channels of communication.2. Besides serving as a propaganda machine in disseminating the American values, the American media also spares no effort in getting involved in domestic politics by providing facilities for candidates in elections and then those winners in their terms of presidency. As members of the corporate-elite establishment, media owners also benefit from governmental policies.3. Under the guidance of the administration, mass media involves itself vigorously into foreign affairs. It disseminates myths about socialist countries behind the iron curtain, provides news favorable to the American side and suppresses or even distorts true reports of the other part in its latest wars in Post Cold War period so as to help authorities achieve their goals.In a word, freedom of press in the United States is enjoyed only by the rich, not by the masses. Mainstream media are owned and controlled by financial groups which have close ties with the Washington political bloc. The two together determine the direction of press and what the American audiences should know.With the development of the Internet and the increase of people of insight, it becomes more and more difficult for those rich to decide the "truth" of facts. However, there is still quite a long way to go.