The Power Of American Media Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2000 words

The Power Of American Media - Essay Example Even before America gained her independence in the late 18th century, Europe’s tabloid presses were already having a field day exposing sensational events that would put today’s reality media to shame. Stories like the gruesome attack on a businessman and the â€Å"deflouring† of his two daughters appeared in a Dutch pamphlet in 1601 and led to a crackdown on banditry. Tabloid reports on the adulterous escapades of England’s popular Queen almost sparked a revolt in the early 19th century (Economist 107). So powerful were newspapermen that Burke (1729-1797) coined the term â€Å"Fourth Estate† to describe them as a new and powerful social class in England. It was Burke who pointed out the duty of the press as guardians of public interest and watchdogs of government. He believed that newspapermen had a power all their own in government: the power to speak and the power to make others listen through the printed word, and to act as a check and balance to the other social classes (Lords, Clergy, and People) by upholding democracy and defending public interests (â€Å"A Vindication†¦Ã¢â‚¬ ). But it was Carlyle (1795-1881), quoting Burke, who extended the description as to include the â€Å"Able Editors† and printers (â€Å"Heroes†), widening the Fourth Estate as to include the whole mass media. Carlyle, an individualist who vehemently distrusted democracy and legislators and hated industrialists, had in mind William Cobbett, England’s great newspaperman w ho denounced the political system as nepotistic, corrupt, and elitist and had to flee to America in 1818 to escape trial. Returning in 1820, Cobbett reported juicy tidbits of the King’s private life, in the process gaining popular support and acquittal for the embattled Queen.

U.S. Childhood Obesity and Climate Change Article

U.S. Childhood Obesity and Climate Change - Article Example It exemplifies with evidence specific environmental impacts on obesity. In responding to this environmental negativity, the article points out climate change preparedness and prevention efforts. These efforts are grouped into two broad categories, which include increased human-powered transportation and increasing physical activity. However, any climate change intervention adopted must be explored for its potential to decrease the probability of injury risk factors. However, as the article suggests, lack of climate change intervention in various locations leads to unintended effects that could otherwise have a positive health implication on childhood obesity (Sheffield & Galvez, 2009). The article uses the piecemeal approach in exemplifying the justification of certain climate change interventions. It bases its explanations from a theoretical literature. It is obvious that the reason of why most cities and state in the United States do not have climate change intervention is the fact that the cost of installation cannot be justified by its benefits (Boarnet & Takahashi, 2010). On the contrary, the article suggests that the decision of whether to justify the construction or installation of this intervention should depend on multidisciplinary assessment. According to this article, the uniqueness and disparities in health effect of each state or regions can be demonstrated by children’s development stage, size and/or long life expectancy. As a result, the appropriate application of climate change intervention leads to a healthier diet, increased physical activities and improved air quality. The article singles out climate change intervention as the major factors that address the rationale for the continued existence of childhood obesity in the United States. According to this article, lack of this facility put in place automatically result in paediatric morbidity. However, such arguments are somehow very vague and