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

       The founders of our nation believed in a vibrant and free-spoken media as a vital component of the institutions that would shape the government of the United States. Freedom of the press ranks high among the First Amendment rights. Pamphleteers and brave newspaper editors pointed out the grievances of the colonists and helped to mobilize the public behind the American Revolution and eventual independence from Great Britain. Journalists, both print and electronic, exposed corruption at the highest levels during Watergate, rallied the people during the dark days of 9-11, and remain on watch to guard the people's right to know today.

       The media in today's world does influence and impact the branches of the American government. Judgment as to the merit of its influence will be up to future generations. Suffice it to say, the sheer magnitude of today's media guarantees its inclusion as a factor in governmental decisions at all levels. Satellite and cable exist side-by-side with traditional broadcast outlets, while print media now can be accessed through the internet. Nearly every American home contains multiple information retrieval devices and many people, using wireless phones, are constantly in touch with the world. The requirement that the outlets that service these devices provide information or programming continuously means that government is scrutinized as never before in our nation's history. Consequently, government officials and agencies in all branches learn to function under the media microscope, aware that their every move will receive strict attention and that reaction by the general public to their decisions will be swift.

       The executive branch perhaps feels the impact and influence of today's media more so than the legislative and judicial branches. Represented by the President, the executives of our government draw attention to themselves due to the public nature of their jobs. Decisions by the executive branch usually affect Americans directly in one form or another. The attention given to the executive branch by the media can often be advantageous, allowing the executive to explain controversial or required actions directly to the public. By the same token, should the media desire that a particular decision be made, its power to sway the public mind can sometimes cause decisions to be made without sufficient study as to their impact, or to favor one side over the other for popular rather than needful reasons.

       Legislators also must pay attention to the media, although because of their numbers, legislators can often "hide in the crowd" when unpopular choices must be made. Still, as with the executive branch, use of the media by the legislative branch can serve a useful purpose in that the various available outlets allow those whom the legislators serve-the-people-to provide input and feedback on vital legislation at the local, state and national levels.

       The judicial branch as framed by the U.S. Constitution, should be immune to any influence or impact of the media. Impartiality should characterize any judicial decision. It would be naive, however, to assume that judges and the courts they administer are not cognizant of the influence and impact of today's media. Again, the volume of information and media outlets makes ignoring the media impossible. Judges then must be even more mindful of the constitutional responsibilities than executives and legislators, because in our system of government, our courts have the final word. For the government to maintain its integrity, the judicial branch must function impartially.

       As previously stated, judgment concerning the extent of the influence and impact of the media on the branches of government and its merit or lack thereof, must be deferred. However, both the media and the government must recognize that the media can be a force for good or a force for evil. Responsible usage by both sides is required. And if the legacy of the media influence of today is yet to be judged, will it have the face of an Edward R. Murrow or a William Randolph Hearst?