Book Review On One Essay Question About Book

David Halberstam is a renowned American author who is known for his work in various fields. He drew most of work on the experienced that he achieved during his life. Perhaps his profession as a journalist played a huge role in his book The Powers That Be .this book covers the period between 1950s and 1970s. In this book, Halberstam illustrates how the media in the United States has changed from an institution that conveys information to one that influenced and made it. It shows the influence of four key media houses, The Los Angeles Times, The New York Times, and Time Magazine. Previously, the politics and politicians of the land had dominated the news. Halberstam shows how the modern media rose to become a powerful instrument through which matters of public interest could be discussed and determined.
During the period 1950s 1970s, the media discovered that it could play a more significant role in shaping the American economy. This was due to the fact that while politicians of the nation made most of the news, it was the media who conveyed the information to the general public. Halberstam identified that this notion in the mind of the media at the time could help shape the policies adopted by the government. It was up to the media to provide information that was of public interest but the realization that such information could be shaped to address public interest was a new trend.
Halberstam discusses in this book how the media was able to read the public mood and air it out to the government in a period when America was experiencing some of its most turbulent moments of history. This included the foreign policy adopted by the American government, civil right freedom movements that came into prominence in the 1960s and 1970s among that matters that affected the interests of the general public. The media at this point of American history was described as bot5h ambitious and aggressive in seeking for a greater involvement in issues that affect the welfare of the entire economy. The media used its power of being able to reach the people first-hand to create the general mood of the public.
During this period, it can be said that there was increased interest on the part of the American people to be more engaged in the policies made and media simply provided a venue for increasing their participation. The American people wanted their voices to be heard in the decision making process their country. It was no longer enough to let the politicians determine the fate of many citizens that they represented. Politicians had often illustrated that they often represented their vested personal interests and the interests of their parties often at the expense of the people who elected them into office. The active role of the media at this particular point in time widened the level of public participation in policy making. Consequently this increased the democratic space that Americans so proudly enjoy.
It is therefore important to note that the media played a significant role in shaping the policy making in America. It became and still remains a formidable force to be reckoned with especially with government. Over recent years, media freedom has become a common issue as various governments find it difficult to cope with free and actively vibrant media. While the America boosts of a free and influential media, it should be safeguarded.