Professional Documents
Culture Documents
Ben Braman
Professor Sonnega
MEDIA 160Mass Media
25 October 2016
These forms of media help shape the common voters opinion of each
Hillary Clinton has 10 million. Its easy to see the magnitude that a
early majority. In other words, people who follow Hillary Clinton want
to be the first ones to see what she tweets and then create arguments
around them. Both of the nominees are racing towards a social media
victory in hopes that it helps them win the general election. What
does this type of victory entail? Its very hard to measure. For voters
involves slandering the other nominee. For a first time voter who
doesnt have any tendencies, this victory shows itself with information
social media post is at your fingertips. The race to win social media
has taken many obscure twists and turns and the result has been a
and Twitter for the first time ever, the debate was watched by more
hopes of attaining a better idea of who to cast their vote for. Instead,
voter, I dont sway left or right. I was hoping that the debate shed light
citizens aged 18-29 say that social media is the most helpful source
from close friends and family firmly show what side they lean to.
Clinton dialogue. The problem intensifies when you include the social
digital revolution was in its infancy, many Americans held out hope
that social media would improve political discourse. Now, with the
where any post can go viral at any time, websites dont filter
commentary that showcases the ugly side of social media. All it takes
around the world. Think about what that type of influence this can
with Trump, its clear to anyone that his Twitter feed is a melting pot of
endless feuds, ego stroking and casual cruelty. Trump understands the
Twitter across the United States (Jones). When met with backlash,
Braman 4
authoritative nature definitely has its perks. In his own words, hes
found in those 140 characters, one can be sure that debate will follow.
people with a couple sentences. Luckily for the public, it doesnt take
derives his happiness from putting others down. During the first
man who can be provoked by a single tweet should not have his
Although Clinton doesnt spend as much on social media, she has gone
pictures. On the first day over 800,000 users had Trumpified their
Facebook and over half of them had allowed the widget to authorize
racy tweet while Clinton analyzes her position before replying. Both
Donald Trump dont find your vote, the easiest thing to do is to scroll
through all the clutter and not voteright? Wrong. Social media
believe that voting is our civil duty. But for first time voters like me,
media coverage is taking its toll. Never before have I been so pressed
have always felt the need to keep up with trending events. I dont
November 8, yet I still hesitantly filled out the form. This goes to show
media had around me. In high school, any conservative media was
met with instant backlash. One particular example stood out to me.
Senator Al Franken came in and spoke to our school via our political
class bulletin board. Within the hour it had been torn down and ripped
Social media has advanced leaps and bounds since the early
breaks. For most, its a blessing, but for some it causes stress. When
in aiding their campaigns. This is not the case for independent voters.
Braman 7
With constant hogwash being shoveled down our timelines and news
reach out to us. One thing is for certain; the headache isnt going
Works Cited
Pew Research: "Where Americans Are Getting News About the 2016 ..."
N.p., n.d. Web. 25 Oct. 2016.
Braman 8
Sherfinsky,
David."http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2015/nov/20/donald-
trump-somebody-said-im-ernest-hemingway-140/." Washington Times.
N.p., n.d. Web. 23 Oct. 2016.