Question 1
According to the article, the media participated a great deal in the downfall of President Nixon. This is because of the media reports that were released to the public about the ills of President Nixon that in the end made him to be very unpopular with the citizens. Any of President Nixon's mistakes was aired and publicly condemned by the media that finally led to his resignation. Majority of the public has believed that media reporters played a major role in bringing down Watergate and President Nixon’s presidency (Nixon, 1974 & White, 1975). This is because two of the media reporters, Woodward and Bernstein, investigated the Watergate scandal and the White House involvement (Feldstein, 2004; Sirica, 1979 &Gettlin, 1991). They discovered that the president was behind this and revealed it to the public (Dickinson, 1973). It was a bold step for the American journalism as a whole.
Question 2
‘Gender and Television’ revealed that women are more than men in the journalism career. Women are depicted as sex objects in the ‘Gender and Television’ (Chandler, 1998 & Alvarado, 1987). Television has reinforced sex stereotypes in women than in men. In the recent past, little has been done to reduce this. In fact, many women are being used as sex idols in modern programs than in past
Question 3
There were mixed reactions on the announcement of President Nixon's resignation to the public. Some supported the brave act conducted by the media in unearthing the wrongs committed by the president. Another portion condemned the media to have catapulted untrue information that would not have been revealed (Feldstein, M. 2004). As for me, I considered this true liberty and freedom to the American people. Presidents should not abuse their office with the assumption f being immune from the public scrutiny.
Question 4
Communication has greatly improved currently. Information quickly spreads from one point to the other (Anita, L. A. 2004). This is augmented by the internet as a key mode of disseminating information. Social media use enhances accountability to our leaders, as there is increased connectivity. Leadership is thus kept in check.
References
Feldstein, M. (2004). Watergate Revisited. History News Network. August- September 2004. Retrieved from > http://hnn.us/article/6813 <
Dickinson, W. B., Mercer, C. & Polsky, B. (1973). Watergate: Chronology of a Crisis 1: Washington D. C.: Congressional Quarterly Inc. pp. 8. http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/20974031
Nixon, R. (1974). The White House Transcripts. New York: Viking Press.
Sirica, J. J. (1979). Setting the Record Straight: The Break-in, The Tapes, & The Conspirators: The Pardon. New York: Norton. p. 44.
White, T. (1975).Breach of Faith: The Fall of Richard Nixon. NY: Readers Digest Press Pages 296–298
|accessdate= requires |url= (help)Gettlin, R & C, L. (1991). Silent Corp: The Removal of a President. New York: St. Martin's Press p. 420
Anita, L. A. (2004). The New Ethics: A Tour of the 21st Century Landscape. New York: Miramax Books.
Alvarado, M. et al. (1987). Learning the Media: Gender. (Ch. 6) London: Macmillan
Chandler, D. (1998). Television and Gender Roles. http://www.aber.ac.uk/media/Modules/TF33120/gendertv.html
