Real-Life Decision Making
You are a media analyst. One of your jobs is to report on political debates
for your local television station.
You have just watched a three-hour debate. You took notes so you can present
your case on the next day's news editorial. You have to discuss your
analysis of each politician, what they said, and their reasoning.
The debate was a town meeting. The candidates used this platform to discuss
various issues. They hoped to convince people to vote for them.
The main issue is whether a bridge in the local town should be torn down
and rebuilt, or just repaired and renovated. The bridge is the main access
into town. It is used daily by thousands of commuters. Something has to be
done.
Bob is the candidate from the party that you would like to see elected.
However, you don't agree with Bob's beliefs about the bridge. Joe
is the other candidate. You don't like his party, but you do agree with
what he said about the bridge issue.
You have to be careful with what you say in your editorial. Hundreds of
viewers watch you every Sunday. What you say about the candidates has a lot
of power when influencing voters.
Michael Edelman works as both a political and media analyst. "There have
been many times when I have been called upon to deal with an issue where two
of my colleagues are on opposite sides," he says. "When you are a commentator,
you are involved in spinning issues."
What do you do?