Question

media & government
the media’s role in presidential appointments
the president
appoints many of
the people who have
important positions
in the federal
government. for
example, supreme
court justices are
appointed for life
by the president. the
legal background
and beliefs of a
supreme court
justice affect the kinds of decisions the
supreme court makes.
when the president appoints someone to
the supreme court, the senate judiciary
committee is in charge of approving the
new justice. the committee holds hear-
ings to investigate the person appointed.
following the hearings, the committee
votes on the appointment. the media’s
coverage of these hearings can influence
whether the appointment is approved.
in 1991, president george bush appointed
clarence thomas as a supreme court
justice. there was some debate about
whether thomas had enough experience
to be a justice. during the senate judiciary
committee hearings, a newspaper story
accused thomas of sexually harassing
anita hill, a woman who had worked for
him. sexual harassment is when a person
makes unwanted sexual comments or
advances towards someone. the disagree-
ments over thomas’s qualifications and
the sexual harassment charges turned
the hearings into a very publicized event.
many people watched the hearings on
television. the hearings were conducted
much like a trial. a team of lawyers
presented hill’s story, and thomas denied
the harassment charges. the story was
covered on daily news shows, on the front
pages of most newspapers, and as the
feature story in news magazines.
in the end, the committee voted 52 - 48 to
approve thomas as a justice. it was the
closest vote for approving a justice in the
committee’s history. these hearings are an
example of the power of the media to
create and influence government.
review

1. why is it important for the senate to

approve a president’s appointment to
the supreme court?

1. why would a newspaper reporter want

to expose a public official’s wrongdoing?

1. how do you think the media coverage

of the clarence thomas hearings might
have influenced the committee to vote
against approving thomas? to approve
the appointment?

Explanation:

1)

The Senate's approval of a Supreme Court appointment is crucial because Supreme Court justices have lifelong terms and significant power in interpreting laws and the Constitution. Their legal stances and decisions impact the nation's legal system, rights, and policies. The Senate, as part of the checks - and - balances system, ensures that appointees are qualified, have appropriate legal backgrounds, and their views align with the public interest and constitutional principles. This approval process helps maintain the integrity and balance of the judicial branch.

Newspaper reporters expose public officials' wrongdoing to fulfill the media's role as a watchdog of democracy. This exposure promotes transparency and accountability in government. It informs the public about unethical or illegal behavior, allowing citizens to make informed decisions about their leaders. It also helps prevent abuse of power, corruption, and violations of the law, and can lead to corrective actions such as investigations, resignations, or legal proceedings.

• Influence to vote against: If the media coverage emphasized the sexual harassment charges against Thomas, it could have made the committee members more aware of the allegations. Public outcry or negative public opinion generated by the media's focus on the charges might have pressured committee members to vote against, as they could be concerned about public perception of their decision and the moral implications of approving someone with such allegations.
• Influence to vote for: If the media coverage highlighted Thomas's legal qualifications, experience, or the idea that the harassment charges were unproven or politically motivated, it could have swayed committee members. They might have focused on his potential as a justice and the importance of upholding the President's appointment power, leading them to vote for approval. Also, media coverage that framed the process as a partisan attack on the President's choice could have influenced members to support the appointment to show political loyalty or uphold the normal appointment process.

Answer:

It is important because Supreme Court justices serve for life and have immense power in interpreting laws and the Constitution. The Senate, through the approval process (part of checks and balances), ensures appointees are qualified, have proper legal stances, and act in the public interest, maintaining the judicial branch's integrity.

2)