Letter: If it doesn't move don't cover it
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.NIK GOWING'S analysis of television's influence on government foreign policy ('Instant pictures, instant policies?', 3 July) was welcome for its intelligence and depth of research.
But television is only one of several mass communication media, and its real power is the extent to which it sets the news agenda. As an agent for photojournalists, I can testify to a long list of international issues that have been ignored by the international print media - until highlighted by television.
Newspapers and magazines follow the whims of television producers, and the consequent positions taken by newspapers do influence governments. Although newspapers are just as fickle as television, there is a curious assumption that papers represent public opinion (presumably because people are seen to buy them) - and government is very susceptible to pressure from print. There are many examples of this, perhaps the most ridiculous being the ill-conceived legislation concerning Pit Bull terriers.
Although the influence may be indirect, television coverage feeds a louder echo chamber which would otherwise be very quiet. The crucial factor in all this is the image. It should be a matter of great concern that it is the moving image rather than the issue which guides the roving news 'searchlight', even for newspapers. This is television's unseen hand.
Stephen Mayes
Network Photographers
London EC1
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments