Obama vs. The Media

As soon as Barack Obama surpassed 270 electoral votes every news channel and paper headline championed the historic moment that just happened. For at least 12 hours following the announcement the news media remained excited, reflecting on the event and speculating about the greatness of the Obama Presidency. The news media loved covering the moment, but that love can only last so long. Just as quickly as Campbell Brown congratulated Obama on his victory, she reminded viewers that CNN would be there holding our President accountable to his constituents. CNN even has a special graphic that to compare Obama's promises with the reality of his policies.

This isn't all bad. The media is responsible for holding our leaders accountable. Check their power, and let the public know what the government is up to. But sometimes in checking up on our politicians the news media searches for conflict, and Barack Obama shouldn't expect anything different. President Obama's interactions and lack of interactions with the media will be scrutinized. With the economy in crisis and wars on multiple fronts any and all actions Obama takes will be analyzed. It's only inevitable the press will look for the conflict within an Obama administration.

Obama himself admits that these next few years won't be easy. In his victory speech on Tuesday he admits that everything he wants to achieve might not be achievable in one term, but the media might not be this patient. There are people out there ready to monitor what he's doing (and not doing.)

2008 will inevitably be remembered as a historic year with a historic outcome, but the next four years will be the real test--and the media is ready to report on just how well it's going. Despite how great an Obama Presidency might be the reporters and bloggers will be there to find the conflict and the mistakes. With a media ready to fight on all fronts--24 news networks, online newspapers, and blogs--will it be possible for any leader to rise above the scrutiny? Has the information age meant an end to the age of great leaders? Only the Obama administration will be able to tell.