Before the Internet: How did they do it?

This blog widely revolves around politicians and how they use the Internet. In order to understand the way politicians use Facebook, Twitter, and web sites today, it is necessary to understand where communication started.

Even before America was founded, politicians have been spreading propaganda. Instead of instant news feeds and AP wire reports, news was delivered in slower ways.

The Federalists and Anti-Federalists relied on newspapers, pamphlets, and word of mouth to reach people.

When the radio became popular, political speeches became a community event. Those who owned radios would invite their neighbors over to hear the program.

This marked the first time Americans could feel the President’s charisma (or lack there of) in their own household. President’s like Coolidge, Hoover, and Roosevelt utilized the radio to help ease the public and win re-election.

In the 1950s television burst onto the political scope and quickly became the most widely used outlet for political dialogue.

Television has even been deemed the key technology that broadened the President’s political power. It showed the candidate to millions of viewers and made him the star of the “political show.”

Since the Internet is a relatively new medium being used in politics, it will take time to measure the affects it has on governmental affairs.

Sources:

Technopoly by Neil Postman

History of Mass Communication: Six Information Revolutions by Irving Fang

Packaging the Presidency by Kathleen Hall Jamieson