Wow. What a special and monumental day. Tuesday, January 20, 2009, the inauguration of President Barack Hussein Obama. As I stood among the throngs of people at the National Mall in the hypothermic chill of the morning, I took in every detail of this historic moment. I, personally, could not believe it. Not that I had any doubt, but I thought back to exactly a year from Monday. I was in Las Vegas, my home, at a local high school, ready to cast my "vote" in my first Presidential Primary Caucus. As that day came to a close with him failing to gain the popular vote, but winning the delegate count, I thought to myself how bad I wanted to see this man sworn in as the 44th President of the United States and how desparatly i wanted to be there to witness the event. It is, I believe, something ordained by God that has allowed me to endure this past year and begin my new year with something as captivating as this that really has reignited the fire of hope and passion within myself.
As I returned to home later that day, I logged onto my computer and quickly found myself on my favorite site, CNN.com for any Inauguration coverage I could get my hands on. CNN, in my opinion, matches my views and alliances to our newly sworn in Commander-in-Chief. Floating on Cloud Nine when I entered my apartment, I wanted to hear nothing that did not match my feelings. CNN was the exact source that fed my hunger for the latest 411 on the parade, Tuesday evening's Inaugural Balls, and other fun, but less important information such as what Michelle Obama planned to wear that evening. In looking through the Inauguration coverage throughout the site shortly before writing this blog post, I noticed how upbeat and positive CNN was (Headline titled "Schneider: Obama's Tone Right For the Times"). The source also spent much time covering the wear abouts of National celebrities, catering to most Americans' tabloid obsessions (Photo Story titled "Celebrities attend Inaugural Balls"). This historic transition of power was treated like the Grammies or the Oscars, complete with all the Style updates you (and I) love so much.
MSNBC.com proved to be a bit more skeptical about the rock star status of our newly elected President. It's headline read "How long will the Obama Honeymoon Last?" Although the questionable title appeared to yield an article that was a bit more scathing nature, the text still highlighted that the energized public "does not expect quick fixes" and because of Obama's popularity, the public is willing to give him a bit more time to tackle the most pressing issues of the economy, war in Iraq, and Guantanamo Bay. This headline prompts one to be a bit more cynical and analytical about Obama rather than the contentment that CNN seems to be full of at this moment.
As I ventured to Fox News coverage of the Inauguration, I expected somewhat of a departure from the previous two sites and I was correct. Fox proved to be more focused on other entities besides Obama himself. Not catering to the Obama-centric news that was a trend of other news outlets, Fox had a story on its front page about the six members of his Cabinet that were sworn in today, and the delay of Hillary Clinton confirmation as Secretary of State until tomorrow. There also contained a story about the Bushes arrival in Texas and the 20, 000 people that anxiously awaited their return home ("Ex-President Bush, Family Fly to Texas"). Overall Fox seemed to give a more well-rounded view of the Inauguration, more so acknowledging the actual process rather than the individual, President Barack Obama, that participated in it.
These three different coverages of the Inauguration appealed to different kinds of people. We as consumers usually choose to indulge in the news that best aligns with the opinions that we already have. It is rare that I read Fox News for the latest information even though I realize the issues with heavily relying on the same source for information. You begin to be a a puppet filled with cookie cutter opinions that sometimes are not your own. They are the views of your favorite newscaster or reporter that you seem to agree with. The news you receive molds your habit for wanting more of that same news from that same outlet. This circular process has few outlets as the nearest exit approaches only when you realize that you're deeply entrenched in the cycle and see the issue with it.
