Final answer:
News announcers turn to analysis or short sound bites after about thirty seconds due to audience attention spans and preferences for quick news cycles, especially during elections where media coverage often emphasizes polling and positioning with concise reporting.
Step-by-step explanation:
After about thirty seconds, the news announcer typically turns the focus away from playing extended clips of political speeches to providing commentary, analysis, or short sound bites of the events. The trend towards shorter sound bites is due to the public's reduced attention span and the news outlets' preference for concise reporting that fits into the fast-paced news cycle. For example, in elections, campaign messages are prepared to be concise enough to be presented as "30-second sound bites" that can easily be converted into campaign slogans or quick news segments. Additionally, as media acts as a scorekeeper during election seasons, the coverage may focus on polling and positioning rather than in-depth policy analysis, thus necessitating shorter, more surface-level reporting. This change in media coverage has been influenced by various factors, including the rise of cable TV news, internet blogging, and the media's adherence to guidelines such as the equal-time rule.