There is no doubt the Internet is the future of media. As the presidential election of 2008 draws closer to its conclusion, it is easy to see what effect the Internet has had already on “Decision ’08.”
Television and newspapers haven’t become obsolete, but the Internet is a powerful force for obtaining public knowledge. Similar to the Kennedy/Nixon election of 1960, in which the first televised election allowed viewers to see the candidates perform in a way that radio never could, the Internet is opening yet another window. Any individual is able to pull up a Web page with a candidate’s history and/or political views.
With the click of a button they can delve into the past, looking into various databases for the truth, not just what the candidates claim to be facts. As influential as television and newspapers still are, in the Internet lies the power to post media clips online for multiple viewings, or post stories on the Web for people without newspaper subscriptions. The idea of “real time” no longer applies in the way it used to, thanks to inventions such as TiVo, Youtube and individual Web sites’ streaming.
This leads me to question how big an influence the Internet actually has in this election. Granted, much political Internet content is geared toward new voters, but isn’t that what the new generation is all about? The Internet, home videos, and anything that relies heavily on technology? The combination of television shows, presidential debates, online political advertisements that litter personal Web sites, and various blogs highlight the influential places where the election has taken hold.
Saturday Night Live, for instance, has always been influential, spouting views on political figures with thinly veiled impartiality. I’m sure there are those who don’t even watch actual political broadcasts, but rather wait for their subsequent critiques.
Tina Fey, in the wake of the Republican vice-presidential nomination, wasted no time impersonating Sarah Palin in what has now become a mini-saga. Each time an actor on SNL portrays a political candidate, viewers tune in to see those individuals mocked in entertaining and enlightening fashion. The SNL skit “Couric/Palin Open” that spoofs the now infamous Katie Couric interview with Sarah Palin has drawn more than four million views on NBC.com, while the vice presidential debates skit that aired last weekend already has more than 3 million views. These skits do an extraordinary job of shedding light on candidates’ faults, while still maintaining the humor that people crave in entertainment television.
Although I enjoy the clips that SNL has to offer, my favorite Web site for finding election videos is still Youtube. A quick search on any of the 2008 candidates draws thousands of clips that draw on either debate replay or satire. “Barack Roll,” “Damon Condemns Palin” and “I’ve got a crush … on Obama” highlight some of the specific views people have about the political candidates. As for other clips on Sarah Palin, I only have to watch her being interviewed for a good laugh. You get what I’m saying.
This election lives on the Internet in a different way than it does in traditional news media because the Internet possesses a unique ability to influence it differently. The online kingdom allows viewers to review candidate statements and mistakes with leisure. It is no longer necessary to be on the couch at 6 p.m. in order to watch a debate. If you miss it, you can be sure it’ll be online in just a few hours – alongside some parody of the event. Perhaps it is just because this is the first election where I have the ability to vote, but it fascinates me that every tidbit of information about the election can be found online. It is the first presidential election in history this has been possible to this immense degree.
With all of this information being unleashed on the public via Internet, you now have even more reason to seriously decide who you want to vote for. Any information on your chosen candidate is just a mouse click away. Use the power wisely.
[email protected]