THE TELEVISION THING
In: Dissent: a journal devoted to radical ideas and the values of socialism and democracy, S. 299-301
ISSN: 0012-3846
WHILE MANY CONSERVATIVES CRITICIZE TELEVISION FOR BEING A "HOTBED OF LIBERALISM," THE TRUTH IS THAT TELEVISION IS THE IDEAL VEHICLE NOT JUST FOR DIVISIVE, POLEMICAL SOUND BITES AND ATTACK ADS, BUT ALSO FOR CONSERVATISM. THE REASON FOR THIS IS THAT THE VALUES AND MESSAGES OF THE RIGHT ARE ESSENTIALLY SIMPLE AND VISCERAL. THESE MESSAGES ARE, THEREFORE, PERFECT FOR TELEVISION BECAUSE TELEVISION IS AN ESSENTIALY SIMPLIFYING AND SENSATIONALIZING MEDIUM. THE MORE INTRICATE AND CEREBRAL MESSAGES OF THE LEFT DO NOT FARE AS WELL ON TELEVISION.