Part one of term paper
The mass media possesses a great deal of influence in society and politics in the United States. Newspapers, radio, magazines and television are able to use their own judgment when reporting current events. The power of the mass media is an asset to the government in some instances and a stumbling block in others. Recent technology and reg ...

Part two of term paper
... informed of current events in politics. This gives the media huge amounts of power and control. Supreme Court Justice Lewis F. Powell stated in 1974, "An informed public depends upon accurate and effective reporting by the news media. No individual can obtain for himself the information needed for the intelligent discharge of his political responsibilities." Powell is saying that it is the media's responsibility to inform the citizens of the news, because people cannot get this informati ...