Obama Takes the Cake... Will the Convention's Journalists do the Same?

By: Kathryn Lisk

While politics have always played a large role in society, America seems to be especially interested in November's presidential election. Barack Obama's speech was not only given in front of While politics have always played a large role in society, America seems to be especially interested in November’s election. Barack Obama’s speech was not only given in front of 80,000 people at Invesco Field in Denver, Colorado, but was also viewed by 38 million people from home. This number nearly doubles the number of viewers John Kerry, who had 24.4 million in the 2004 election. With these numbers, will there be more voters than usual? Can McCain match these numbers in his upcoming speech in Minnesota in the next few days?

Furthermore, there were over 15,000 reporters present at the Democratic Convention, each hoping to bring home an original story about where the U.S. was headed and if Obama would become a part of history. Before reading this article, I felt the number of stories produced by this number of journalists may be a bit much. Does America really need 15,000 views of this story? But with the obvious interest in the convention and election, maybe this is necessary. Various writers have mentioned job cuts within the journalism market, including Fairfax, who just laid off 550 Journalists. As long as Americans are demanding stories and information on the election and the candidates, Journalists may still have work.

I hope that as information is given to the American public about the election, Americans decide to participate in the election and vote. I’ve heard quite a few Simpson students talking about their views and I hope to see that they’ll take part in the elections. After all, news is supposed to inform its viewers. Will it?