Supreme Court Case
Citizens United v. Federal Election Commission, 558 U.S. 310 (2010). Web.
http://www.supremecourt.gov/opinions/09pdf/08-205.pdf
The Supreme Court decision in the case Citizens United v The FEC is an example of a primary source that pertains to our topic, media’s influence on Presidential elections. In 2008 Citizens United, a non-profit organization, released a film entitled Hillary: The Movie, a movie about Senator Hilary Clinton. The movie was a 90-minute documentary, which specifically referred to Senator Clinton by name. The movie depicts critical interviews from other political commentators who are critical of Senator Clinton, a candidate in the 2008 Presidential primary election. Citizens United wanted to increase distribution by making it available through video-on-demand. In 2007 a cable company offered to pay for Hillary to be available on video-on-demand free of charge. Citizens United also created a 10 and 30 second advertisement for the movie in which they wanted to advertise on broadcast and cable television. Citizens United feared that it would face criminal and civil charges under the 437 g, but argued that the 441b’s ban on corporate funded independent expenditures was unconstitutional as applied to Hillary, and that the BCRA’s disclaimer and disclosure are unconstitutional as applied to Hillary. Citizen’s argues that 441b does not pertain to Hilary: The Movie, because it does not qualify as a “electioneering communication.” In a 5-4 decision the District Court for the District of Columbia ruled that 441b was unconstitutional on its face but it was constitutional as applied to Hillary, because the sole purpose of Hillary was to inform the public that Clinton was unfit for office. The Supreme Court ruled that corporations could not be restricted from funding private expenditures because it was a violation of the First Amendment's Free Speech. The Court also ruled that there is not a distinction between corporations and media outlets because if there was Congress would be able to suppress specific forms of free speech. This decision significantly affected Clinton’s ability to campaign and the way in which the public viewed her as a candidate. This opinion also shows how important the issue of information literacy has become. Today, the Supreme Court has ruled that government cannot restrict the amount of money a corporation can donate to a political campaign, which in turn affects the way in which a candidate campaigns, advertizes, and ultimately can have a significant influence on the outcome of an election.
The Supreme Court is composed of nine individual’s who are hand picked by the President of the United States and approved by the Senate. These nine individual’s are considered to be law scholars and highly respected as an important branch of the United States government. This decision has come down from the supreme court of the land, therefore is highly respected by society and government.
http://www.supremecourt.gov/opinions/09pdf/08-205.pdf
The Supreme Court decision in the case Citizens United v The FEC is an example of a primary source that pertains to our topic, media’s influence on Presidential elections. In 2008 Citizens United, a non-profit organization, released a film entitled Hillary: The Movie, a movie about Senator Hilary Clinton. The movie was a 90-minute documentary, which specifically referred to Senator Clinton by name. The movie depicts critical interviews from other political commentators who are critical of Senator Clinton, a candidate in the 2008 Presidential primary election. Citizens United wanted to increase distribution by making it available through video-on-demand. In 2007 a cable company offered to pay for Hillary to be available on video-on-demand free of charge. Citizens United also created a 10 and 30 second advertisement for the movie in which they wanted to advertise on broadcast and cable television. Citizens United feared that it would face criminal and civil charges under the 437 g, but argued that the 441b’s ban on corporate funded independent expenditures was unconstitutional as applied to Hillary, and that the BCRA’s disclaimer and disclosure are unconstitutional as applied to Hillary. Citizen’s argues that 441b does not pertain to Hilary: The Movie, because it does not qualify as a “electioneering communication.” In a 5-4 decision the District Court for the District of Columbia ruled that 441b was unconstitutional on its face but it was constitutional as applied to Hillary, because the sole purpose of Hillary was to inform the public that Clinton was unfit for office. The Supreme Court ruled that corporations could not be restricted from funding private expenditures because it was a violation of the First Amendment's Free Speech. The Court also ruled that there is not a distinction between corporations and media outlets because if there was Congress would be able to suppress specific forms of free speech. This decision significantly affected Clinton’s ability to campaign and the way in which the public viewed her as a candidate. This opinion also shows how important the issue of information literacy has become. Today, the Supreme Court has ruled that government cannot restrict the amount of money a corporation can donate to a political campaign, which in turn affects the way in which a candidate campaigns, advertizes, and ultimately can have a significant influence on the outcome of an election.
The Supreme Court is composed of nine individual’s who are hand picked by the President of the United States and approved by the Senate. These nine individual’s are considered to be law scholars and highly respected as an important branch of the United States government. This decision has come down from the supreme court of the land, therefore is highly respected by society and government.
Roosevelt Radio Address Transcript
Roosevelt, Franklin, dir. "On The Bank Crisis." Fireside Chats. CBS, NBC: March 3, 1933. Radio.
<http://docs.fdrlibrary.marist.edu/firesi90.html>.
At the beginning of the Great Depression, President Franklin Roosevelt set a precedent that continued on to modern day. He delivered an address to the American people over radio, directly speaking to thousands of families. Even today, the current president gives weekly updates.
“On the Bank Crisis” was arguably one of the most important addresses delivered to the American people. It was during a time of great fear over personal property and savings. Families were terrified that they would lose everything, and many did. In this speech, Roosevelt clearly laid out what the problem was, how it would affect the country, and what the government planned on doing to fix it. At the end of the speech, he stressed that together as a nation, there was nothing to be afraid of.
Many people believe that Roosevelt was one of the best Presidents in American history. He developed laws and social and financial institutions that are still used today. He also guided the country through one of the greatest financial depressions of our time and through a world war. “On the Bank Crisis” was a significant step in using the media to reach the American people with political information and paved the way for future politicians.
<http://docs.fdrlibrary.marist.edu/firesi90.html>.
At the beginning of the Great Depression, President Franklin Roosevelt set a precedent that continued on to modern day. He delivered an address to the American people over radio, directly speaking to thousands of families. Even today, the current president gives weekly updates.
“On the Bank Crisis” was arguably one of the most important addresses delivered to the American people. It was during a time of great fear over personal property and savings. Families were terrified that they would lose everything, and many did. In this speech, Roosevelt clearly laid out what the problem was, how it would affect the country, and what the government planned on doing to fix it. At the end of the speech, he stressed that together as a nation, there was nothing to be afraid of.
Many people believe that Roosevelt was one of the best Presidents in American history. He developed laws and social and financial institutions that are still used today. He also guided the country through one of the greatest financial depressions of our time and through a world war. “On the Bank Crisis” was a significant step in using the media to reach the American people with political information and paved the way for future politicians.