Media Matters

The importance of words in this politically-charged environment gets more and more obvious every day. President Trump's expressions in press conferences, interviews and  tweets are engaging as  well as enraging. Anyway you look at it, his words are certainly pervasive.      However, we must not forget that a President's  words serve varied  purposes, becoming part of America's historical  and cultural legacies:  from speeches like Lincoln's "Gettysburg Address,"  to short sentences ( quotes ).  Consider such quotes from President  Obama: "If I had a son, he'd look like Trayvon;"  and "Everytime I think about those kids, it gets me mad."  The first expression initiated a national conversation on race; the second, regarding  Newtown's school shooting, spurred intense interaction on gun control.      Both quotes demonstrate Obama's personal emotional connection to the subject matter: respectiv...

  Today's news broadcasts have come a long way.      Why? Because language has taken center stage, especially in this politically- charged environment dominated by President Donald Trump. Years ago, daily political broadcasts were often boring, even during election campaigns where candidates' personalities  were at the forefront. What candidates said was not particularly cogent. What candidates looked like or sounded like were. Subject matter was not salient. Charisma was. Images prevailed over ideas.      Since Trump has become president, however,  it's become apparent that IDEAS conveyed through words now have greater impact and consequence: inciting hate and violence; insulting people; becoming codes that attract like-minded individuals.      While words now communicate potent ideas more than ever, they also provide images at the same time. Some terms are powerful because they  carry BOTH ideas and images. ...