A panel of national political correspondents from some of the country's most influential print, broadcast, and online news sources discussed the role that media play in shaping the presidential election and the issues affecting the race before a packed Trout Auditorium at Bucknell University on Thursday night, Oct. 18.
In the panel discussion, "Media and the Citizen's View of the Presidential Campaign," the six journalists said that the Iraq war and national security will continue to be the key issues of the campaigns, which are being managed and reported differently because of the growing influence of the Internet.
The panel was David Chalian of ABC News, Nedra Pickler of The Associated Press, David Greene of National Public Radio, Roger Simon of The Politico.com, Karen Tumulty of Time, and John Harwood of The Wall Street Journal. Bucknell Dean of Arts and Sciences Chris Zappe was the moderator. Jeff Zeleny of The New York Times was originally scheduled but did not attend the event.
THE WAR IN IRAQ
Roger Simon's comments about candidates from both sides believe the war was wrong, but differ on where do we go from here. A candidate who wins nomination is one that will generate or show a sign of strength.
YOUTUBE AND THE BLOGS
Nedra Pickler of the AP said the blogs are either left or right, there doesn't seem to be one in the middle. John Harwood said the news delivery business model is changing while Karen Tumulty said the blogs don't motivate voters due to readers already establishing positions. Simon came in with there are no small moments anymore and speaking to the press is high risk. David Greene added how he seen "Obama lapel flag" grow from something small to something huge in a matter of days.
CORPORATE MEDIA
Simon talked about newspapers still make 11% profit on average, but still have to answer to shareholders that want to see 25%. Tumulty talked about the Boston Globe closing down their foreign new bureaus. David Chalian of ABC News said that he never had "Mickey Mouse" make an editorial decision for his department. The Disney Company owns ABC.
RAPID FIRE
In a rapid fire yes/no response to four questions, the panel pretty much agreed that the Electoral College was still needed, the country was ready for a woman president, money was needed to run for president and the election cycle will continue to be this long.
THE STUDENTS
When the audience and students had a chance to address the panel. Harwood said most of the media bias left of center or so perceived is that most of the journalist that come into the system with youth and high ideals. While Simon asked the students how many subscribed to newspapers. More students got their political news from Jon Stewart and Stephen Colbert. If student read any news most got it online. One student said he has a terrible view of politicians due to the way they are portrayed by the Daily Show and the Colbert Report. Tumulty added that in an average students age group they don't have a vested interest. In the biggest turnout in any election was 18 year olds were given the right to vote and there was a draft in the same year. Pickler said the Obama campaign is spending much time and resources on the 18-24 age group. She said if he can't motivate the age group in this election no one can.
QUESTIONS AFTER
I had the opportunity to talk to Tumulty and Simon after the forum. I asked Simon if there is better scrutiny for Iran in 2007 versus Iraq in 2002. He concluded that if this administration would have a real "threat" or impeachment might be back on the table for a strike to take place against Iran. Gathering hard facts and interpreting them have not been this administration's strengths.
Tumulty was so sad to see news bureaus close around the world. Her company has closed it's Mexico City and Moscow bureaus and relies solely on stringers. This is where the people are feeling the effects of corporate media.
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