Why are we being fed the american politics/election?
Why are we being fed the american politics/election?
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Discussion

ALT F4

Original Poster:

5,180 posts

248 months

Wednesday 10th February 2016
quotequote all
The majority of people I speak to have literally no interest in american politics and even less interest in the internal party politics in them electing a front runner for their next election. (ie. its not even the main new president election!)

I ask if others know people who have an interest in this - the answer is always no.

Assuming this is not just my circle of friends, and also their circle(s)... the question is, why is our British media feeding this to us on a daily basis?


We don't get daily updates with journalists rushing to have pictures taken with other country's future hopefuls, such as say Australia, South Africa, Canada, Iceland, etc. etc. during their party leader elections, and then feeding it to us relentlessly as if its also the British public's duty to have their politics and public friendly ideals installed in to our minds.

I know the USA and the UK are 'friendly' in terms of global relations and global image, but does that mean we have to suffer a daily implant of their politics, news and general goings on we have no interest in whatsoever ?

OK, I'm off to take a 'chill pill'.

Adam B

29,757 posts

285 months

Wednesday 10th February 2016
quotequote all
Its the most powerful country on earth, so the result has a knock on impact to the rest of the world, hence the reporting. Seems to be a lot of reporting because their process is quite drawn out, choosing the candidates takes time before the election proper.

I take an interest, in the same way I take in a general interest in all global news. Quite frightening some of the bks and rhetoric they get away with over there. Trump is a dangerous clown.

Do you friends take in interest in UK politics?

ALT F4

Original Poster:

5,180 posts

248 months

Wednesday 10th February 2016
quotequote all
UK politics yes.
American politics a definite no.

All connected of course at an international level, but the current news is only about selecting a party leader for a future presidential election.

I think the amount of time given only to american issues, internal politics etc. seems to be disproportionate as we live in a global environment.

Just my opinion of course.

deckster

9,631 posts

286 months

Wednesday 10th February 2016
quotequote all
As above, really: like it or not, the US is the most powerful nation on earth and as you say is one of our closest allies. Broadly speaking we will very much be affected (directly and indirectly) by whoever is in charge over there.

Plus, consider this:

1) It's very expensive to report on overseas news.
2) Our news outlets don't have infinite budgets
3) They can tell, to an excruciating level of detail, what people read on their websites, how long they take on each page, the kind of links they click on etc. etc.

In the same way that people decry the likes of the X-Factor, whilst secretly watching it every night, the big players are only giving us we want. If we didn't read the articles, you can be damn sure they wouldn't keep reporting on it.

Adenauer

18,982 posts

267 months

Wednesday 10th February 2016
quotequote all
Is it not because this time there's a proper well known nutjob running?

Adam B

29,757 posts

285 months

Wednesday 10th February 2016
quotequote all
ALT F4 said:
I think the amount of time given only to american issues, internal politics etc. seems to be disproportionate as we live in a global environment.
I am sure there would be similar coverage of Russian and Chinese elections and issues given their impact however... well you see the issue

GroundEffect

13,864 posts

187 months

Wednesday 10th February 2016
quotequote all
I love American politics. Have followed it for years - it's just so much more dramatic and interesting than ours.

It's basically reality TV that has the added spice of global nuclear fallout...


Pasteurised

324 posts

183 months

Wednesday 10th February 2016
quotequote all
All I know is I want Sanders to win.
His Original Recipe is incredible.

HD Adam

5,155 posts

215 months

Wednesday 10th February 2016
quotequote all
Do you not think how either the election of Donald Trump or Bernie Sanders (the current front runners) will effect us in the UK?

If Sanders is elected, it will be like the equivalent of having Jeremy Corbyn in charge and if it's the Donald, more like Ming the Merciless.

2 very different options & worlds after the US election.

Europa1

10,923 posts

219 months

Wednesday 10th February 2016
quotequote all
Adenauer said:
Is it not because this time there's a proper well known nutjob running?
No, it's been a major story for the UK media for years and years.

Eric Mc

125,855 posts

296 months

Wednesday 10th February 2016
quotequote all
This question crops up every four years. I wonder why?

DonkeyApple

70,721 posts

200 months

Wednesday 10th February 2016
quotequote all
ALT F4 said:
The majority of people I speak to have literally no interest in american politics and even less interest in the internal party politics in them electing a front runner for their next election. (ie. its not even the main new president election!)

I ask if others know people who have an interest in this - the answer is always no.

Assuming this is not just my circle of friends, and also their circle(s)... the question is, why is our British media feeding this to us on a daily basis?


We don't get daily updates with journalists rushing to have pictures taken with other country's future hopefuls, such as say Australia, South Africa, Canada, Iceland, etc. etc. during their party leader elections, and then feeding it to us relentlessly as if its also the British public's duty to have their politics and public friendly ideals installed in to our minds.

I know the USA and the UK are 'friendly' in terms of global relations and global image, but does that mean we have to suffer a daily implant of their politics, news and general goings on we have no interest in whatsoever ?

OK, I'm off to take a 'chill pill'.
Because it's good fun to watch gun toting, illiterate, third world, religious fundamentalists who ride around in pick-ups being dumbasses. And it makes a change from watching gun toting, illiterate, third world, religious fundamentalists who ride around in pick-ups in the Middle East.

BoRED S2upid

21,111 posts

271 months

Wednesday 10th February 2016
quotequote all
To see if they are stupid enough to vote Trump in? I see it as entertainment rather than news.

ALT F4

Original Poster:

5,180 posts

248 months

Wednesday 10th February 2016
quotequote all
HD Adam said:
Do you not think how either the election of Donald Trump or Bernie Sanders (the current front runners) will effect us in the UK?
Not really, I don't really want the UK to be in a position whereby the USA say "jump", and we say "how high sir?"


Also. how effective in reality is the president of the USA in his/her personal views anyway? Has Obama been able to take all the guns off the streets for example?

Europa1

10,923 posts

219 months

Wednesday 10th February 2016
quotequote all
BoRED S2upid said:
To see if they are stupid enough to vote Trump in? I see it as entertainment rather than news.
Sadly, it'll be anything but entertainment (either for the USA or the rest of the world) if Trump does win.

Vaud

59,880 posts

186 months

Wednesday 10th February 2016
quotequote all
Because like it or not, our country is extremely connected across culture, defence, security & intelligence sharing, treaties, etc with the US and so it has a very significant impact on our country well.

TwigtheWonderkid

49,218 posts

181 months

Wednesday 10th February 2016
quotequote all
Adenauer said:
Is it not because this time there's a proper well known nutjob running?
That's often the case.

utgjon

713 posts

204 months

Wednesday 10th February 2016
quotequote all
ALT F4 said:
Not really, I don't really want the UK to be in a position whereby the USA say "jump", and we say "how high sir?"


Also. how effective in reality is the president of the USA in his/her personal views anyway? Has Obama been able to take all the guns off the streets for example?
Try to think a little further afield than the UK/US 'relationship' in terms of global impact of American presidency elections.

Then work out why it gets more coverage than other international political elections.


... I also agree with the posters above saying 'they give us what we want to read/hear/listen to'.

ALT F4

Original Poster:

5,180 posts

248 months

Wednesday 10th February 2016
quotequote all
anonymous said:
[redacted]
But I am being fed it. burger A bit fat american burger!

The UK has gone mad I tell thee!

And we all know that posting on PH solves the worlds problems !
'Tis why we have the "politics" and "lounge" sections - isn't it? wink

scratchchin

Truckosaurus

13,299 posts

315 months

Wednesday 10th February 2016
quotequote all
I once heard it said that if the BBC News office was in Grimsby the price of fish would be the top story every day.

The American election content is all in English so it is easy for British news outlets to just play it straight out and fill their allotted time schedules.

I think that there would be less coverage of the current race if Trump wasn't in it.