What role do the media play in American politics and culture ?

Frank Sesno - The roles of traditional and social media in the current campaign have diverged more sharply than we have ever seen before. This is because traditional "journalism" media are confounded by populist/outsiders who have been so influential in setting the agenda for this campaign on the one hand, and social media, on the other hand, where they have a ready audience who support and encourage them. Traditional media are trying to hold candidates accountable for their overstatements and inaccuracies, for their outrage and finger pointing. Social media are accommodating and amplifying their anger. In the former, there is an expectation that the candidates will be held to account, even penalized for what they have said once the media are consumed by the public; in the latter there is the reality that the candidates gain traction and attention and have a ready (and instant) vehicle for their anger. Donald Trump's unbridled use of social media to insult his critics and parrot his unsubstantiated claims is a good example of how social media have, in many cases, provided this free pass. His tweets are free media and he has enjoyed (to date) an enormous and welcoming audience. On the other side of the political divide, Bernie Sanders has mobilized his followers far more effectively via social media than through traditional media, where coverage is generally skeptical. So this campaign graphically illustrates how traditional media and social media diverge to play distinct and often conflicting roles in American politics.

Frank Sesno - It is a vastly diminished role. Because of social media, the Internet, the explosion of cable channels and the disaggregation of the audience (with a lot less 'brand' loyalty), the once-dominant role of the White House press corps is a shadow of its former self. Presidents routinely go on cable shows, comedy shows, late night shows, podcasts. Obama famously sat for an interview with Zach Galafianakis for his "Between Two Ferns" interview internet program, which is said to have had more than thirty million views. Obama did a garage interview with comedian Marc Maron for his irreverent "WTF" podcast. He has also appeared in Google town hall meetings and in interviews on Comedy Central. This is very deliberate niche targeting by the White House. Where once these interviews would have mostly gone to White House reporters, they are now dispersed and the White House press corps covers them like they once covered major speeches at universities or national parliaments. Furthermore, the White House press corps now enjoys much less profile and prestige than it once did. The prime-time East Room presidential news conference is long gone, and the stature and profile of White House correspondents has declined along with the ratings and the circulation of major networks and publications that have a seat in the Press Room. All of this being said, the White House press corps is still remarkably influential and important, due to their proximity to the president, their familiarity with and access to his top advisers and their understanding of both politics and policy. These reporters remain well connected, highly competitive and the daily driver of White House coverage.