ashlayla, 4/9

“Any journalist who wants power or influence has to have a TV program. It is even possible for television journalists to get important positions in the printed press.” (331)

This quote made me think about the discussion we had on Anderson Cooper, Oprah, and Keith Olbermann in Thursday’s class. I didn’t know who Anderson Cooper or Keith Olbermann were until class and I’m surprised I didn’t because they are everywhere in the media. I have watched the Oprah show and I have looked through several issues of her magazine. The internet, in my opinion, has recently boosted the careers of these three media giants because now they can reach an even larger audience. They have FaceBook, Twitter, and personal websites to attract viewers. If you missed the most recent Oprah show, you can go on her website and read the highlights of that day’s show. You can also get updates from FaceBook “pages” on what is happening with Oprah. I am what is called on FaceBook a fan of a particular dance group from an MTV dance show. When the two final groups had performed, the “fan page” on FaceBook started sending regular updates on how to vote, where to watch the performances again, and other news. They still occasionally send out updates so that the fans know what they are up to since the show has ended. I am not on the Oprah FaceBook fan page, but I can assume that her page probably sends out regular updates on what happened on the day’s show and what group of people Oprah is helping now. Now, if I were to go on FaceBook, I would know which fan page is Anderson Cooper’s because he would probably have his AC360 logo somewhere on the page. The logos of Anderson Cooper and Oprah are all over the media and that is how we know who they are. Logos are like the person’s trademark. You know it is Oprah or Anderson Cooper when you see the giant “O” or the AC360. However, I have a feeling that even if Oprah didn’t have a logo people would still know who she was because she makes it a high priority to get her name out. She has her television show, the Angel Network, a magazine, and gets really involved with politics. Anderson Cooper and Oprah have used the invention of the internet to boost their television careers. They use FaceBook and Twitter, along with their websites, to reach a larger audience. FaceBook and Twitter are new best friends to Anderson Cooper and Oprah.