The News and Public Opinion

Spiro Agnew

In 1969 Spiro Agnew, then vice-president of the United States, delivered a speech in Des Moines, Iowa in which he discussed the ability of the media to influence public opinion. While the speech was written thirty years ago, it still resonates with us today as we evaluate the role of the media to influence public opinion.

Read the speech and complete the graphic to summarize the criticisms Agnew made of the media.