What influence and impact do the media have on each of the three branches of government in the United States today?

       Imagine a middle-aged woman lying almost lifeless with a feeding tube inserted through her nose on a hospital bed with crisp, white sheets. Friends and family surround her wondering if and when she will stand among them again. An argument begins about whether or not the feeding tube should be removed. Because of the media, this dispute, which should have remained a private matter, instigated a nation-wide debate. The media voices public opinion to the government, therefore influencing the decisions of the legislative, executive, and judicial branches, as seen in the Terri Schiavo case.

       The media influences the legislative branch by publicizing certain organizations that push for action from the government. For instance, in 2004, the Florida legislation created "Terri's Law" and the "Incapacitated Person's Legal Protection Act" in response to the incessant campaigns led by Christian conservative groups during the Terri Schiavo case. The media broadcasted these relentless campaigns of conservative opinions, eventually persuading the Florida Legislature to take action. When state legislation was insufficient in preventing removal of the feeding tube, religious rights activists brought the case to the national level through the use of media. Because of public disapproval, Congress sometimes dismisses bills before they are sent to the executive branch. Other times, when the polls reveal strong public support, Congress suggests a new law. By voicing public opinions through polls, the media influences the legislative branch.

       The Terri Schiavo controversy serves as an example of how media can influence the executive branch, as well as the legislative branch. President George W. Bush felt the media's powerful and coercive influence during the Schiavo case. To retain his image as a Christian man who values family morals and life, President Bush interrupted his vacation in Texas to fly to the capital in order to sign a bill placing the case in the federal court. Similarly, Florida Governor Jeb Bush engaged himself in the battle between life and death after seeing the approval ratings of Floridians presented by the media. The media forces an executive member to remain honest and maintain loyalty to the character that he or she publicly claimed to possess during elections.

       Although the judicial branch generally is more immune to the pressure exerted by the media, the Terri Schiavo case serves as an exception to this observation. In 2004, the Florida Supreme Court ruled that the legislative and executive branches of the government intervened unconstitutionally after a poll revealed that only a small majority of people believed that the President and governor acted reasonably. Also, an ABC poll disclosed that 63% of the people supported the removal of the feeding tube; shortly after, judges (2-1) denied the reinsertion of the feeding tube. Like the other two branches of government, the media influences the decisions made by the judicial branch. Although the judges react the least to statements made by the media, unavoidably, media sometimes causes them to be biased.

       Today, the media influences and impacts all three branches of the United States government. Members of the government always must be accountable for their actions and maintain decency. Media is the megaphone in which public opinion is expressed; therefore, the public opinion influences the government. The media prevent the government from becoming corrupt and influence the actions and reactions of the legislative, executive, and judicial branch of the United States of America government by administrating polls and other methods to voice public opinion.