The stressful period of the 2024 general election has left many reflecting on their political stances and participation. Although many of these positions are dictated by objectivity or personal background, another aspect that can be influential is the entertainment media.
Entertainment media includes motion picture, print, radio and television broadcasts, according to the University of Notre Dame.
The Badger Herald spoke with University of Wisconsin professors Allison Prasch and Michael Xenos about the effects entertainment media can have on politics.
Xenos is a professor and director of undergraduate studies in the Department of Life Sciences at the University of Washington and focuses on the extent to which social media and the Internet can help people engage in politics.
Prasch is a professor of Rhetoric, Politics and Culture in the Department of Communication Arts at the University of Washington, known for her work in American presidential rhetoric, political communication, and the history of rhetoric.
The studies conducted by Xenos and Prasch shed light on the influence of entertainment media on our participation in politics.
According to Xenos, some common examples of political entertainment media include late-night and talk television shows such as The daily show and Last Week Tonight with John Oliver. But more broadly, entertainment media has become increasingly linked to politics in the modern era.
“These two worlds of entertainment and politics have always existed… [and] The line between them is increasingly difficult to draw,” said Xenos.
Xenos also points out that this bond between them has positive effects.
Xenos recently conducted a study with a student showing that presenting political issues with humor (as many modern entertainment media do) rather than seriously can incline citizens to better consider and understand current issues.
According to Xenos, media that is simultaneously informative and engaging can attract apolitical individuals into the political world. It makes politics entertaining and allows the audience to learn more from their viewing experiences.
The study also shows how these media affect partisanship in politics. People on the right tend to prefer more serious forms of political entertainment media, while people on the left tend to prefer satirical or comedic forms of political entertainment media.
Prasch, an expert in political rhetoric, spoke about celebrity endorsements and the novel methods with which presidential candidates try to reach their voters.
According to Prasch, endorsements from celebrities like Oprah or Taylor Swift stimulate political participation and engagement among younger generations. Celebrity endorsements also make candidates appear more authentic and relatable to voters.
Speaking about the approaches taken by candidates in the 2024 presidential election, Prasch commented on the decisions made by former Democratic candidate Kamala Harris and Republican candidate and president-elect Donald Trump will speak on podcasts, which are good examples of how politicians try to reach voters and influence turnout.
According to Prasch, this shift includes more focused and direct appeals to particular demographic groups and voters, such as those who follow podcasts in which both candidates have appeared.
Prasch said notable examples of Trump and Harris’ efforts to reach voters through podcasts were “The Joe Rogan Show” and “calls his daddy”, respectively.
Both podcasts are among the most popular in the United States, and their hosts’ interviews with political candidates could have significantly influenced the 2024 election, according to Prasch.
“These [hosts] “They are changing and shaping the way candidates think about reaching their audiences,” Prasch said.
Xenos also commented on the novel approaches to the use of entertainment. Xenos explained Trump’s strong connection to the entertainment industry, made possible in large part by his previous television series “The Apprentice.”
According to Xenos, much of Trump’s identity is tied to his history on television, and his relationship with his followers is partially based on their familiarity with him through “The Apprentice.”
“In many ways, Donald Trump is a very good example of how the lines between entertainment, politics and news are blurred,” Xenos said.
According to Prasch, politicians have always intended to appear visible to their country and the world through the use of the media.
“Regardless of the media landscape… the president [has desired to be seen] through any media channel they had at their disposal.”
What changes is that the widespread use of digital media makes this goal much more feasible, according to Prasch.
Xenos commented that while digital media can influence political mobilization, it primarily impacts political perspectives and dynamics within the two-party system. The wide reach of digital media has fueled political polarization by making it difficult for people to disengage from political content.
The rise of digital media is and will continue to be incredibly influential in politics and elections, although its exact impact on the 2024 elections remains unclear.
According to Xenos, this widespread and diverse digital media climate does not necessarily stimulate one type of emotion, but rather brings multiple emotions to the surface in a more meaningful way.
“[Digital Media] “It has largely become the bargaining chip between the two factions, often at the expense of the other side,” Xenos said.
As technology and innovation continue to change the world, so does our use in politics and other areas of society. But, as Prasche and Xenos demonstrate, if done right, entertainment can be a productive tool.
‘ badgerherald.com ‘
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