Media

Media has always played a major role in history.

Former POTUS Donald Trump is a shining example of the benefits that come with widespread media coverage. News about Don Trump was known around the world. It did not matter whether you were American, or whether you were interested in politics, or whether you watched the news – as long as you were not in a coma, you knew who was Don Trump. Even people inside comas were probably aware about Don, hearing the nurses and passers-by talking about Trump.

They say that “there’s no such thing as bad news coverage”, or something along those lines. That point alone could be a topic for high school debates. Nevertheless, in case of POTUS Trump we have the results. New controversies coupled with controversial news made people aware about the presence of Donald John Trump. This has played a role in him winning the presidency in 2016. 

Controlling the media is not easy. If one find ways to make the media work for oneself the benefits is astounding. These are the facts related to media coverage.

So, what about the lack of media coverage? Which country could provide a good example?

The country of Bhutan had a leader in the 17th Century – Zhabdrung Ngawang Namgyel. He shaped the nation, protecting it from outside invasions by the Tibetans and Mongols. Zhabdrung went into permanent retreat in 1652 and passed away around that time. He did not leave a successor and the Debs were left in charge of the nation afterwards. However, the Penlops (leaders) were able to hide the fact that Zhabdrung had passed away until 1705 – 53 years later!

The cover-up of his death allowed the Penlops to continue ruling the country in his stead. They signed documents and orders in Zhabdrung’s name i.e. basically kept the death of one of the most important leader of the 17th century a secret for 53 years. The common people did not know that their leader was gone. It is impressive that the Penlops were maintaining order in the country for half a century. Controlling that information – and the media – enabled the peaceful rule of the country (that is until civil war broke out and had to be quelled again, by 1907 – but that’s another matter entirely).

You could be a powerful president living the American dream, and you could be a common peasant farming in the valley. The communication, information and media network is a force that demands respect. Such is the power of media.