Analysts estimate that the first presidential debate on Monday, Sept. 26, drew between 80 and 100 million viewers, demonstrating the media’s heavy impact on the public in this election cycle.
“Everything [the voters] learn about the candidates is filtered through the media,” Peter Kiley, vice president of affiliate relations at C-Span said. “The debates are considered the most important, because they generate the biggest television audience.”
While the responsibility of the media is to report neutrally, without intent to change the public’s views of candidates, some realize the importance of media influence.
Anthony DiLorenzo, a reporter from WPIX 11 shared his thoughts on the media’s involvement. “I think it’s inevitable that some voters will be swayed by the media coverage. That’s not the intention, hopefully, as objective journalists, but I think it does happen,” he said.
ABC7 reporter Dray Clark said, “Good or bad, I think it’s hard for anyone to argue anything to the contrary. We profile candidates and we let people decide, but certainly we have influenced [voters].”
This election, more than any other before, has produced constant coverage of presidential candidates Hillary Clinton and Donald Trump, through the news and Internet. This election season has also seen social media become an extremely important part of the race.
W-NBC anchor Stefan Holt said that most people decide who they will vote for by “what they see on Facebook, what they see on Twitter, on Snapchat or Instagram.”
Clark also highlighted the new influence of social media in the election. “Social media has really changed the landscape of how to communicate … Social media has the ability to shape and sculpt the momentum of a candidacy … [it] has become too important and vital to getting your message out.”
Media coverage of the presidential debate is expected to help sway voters, as it has in past elections, whether or not reporters intend it. The presidential debates are especially key in persuading undecided voters.
Steve Handelsman, a reporter for NBC 4 said, “I think this could be the pivotal event of the decision process. [Many people] don’t like Hillary or Donald and they’re looking for somebody to vote for … [The debate] could be the deciding event for enough voters. It could decide who wins the election.”