Final answer:
The relationship between the president and the press has changed since the 1970s, with reporters becoming more adversarial and engaging in investigative reporting. President Trump's relationship with the press was characterized by criticism and reliance on social media, while President Biden maintains a more traditional interaction. Throughout history, presidents have employed different strategies to shape media coverage.
Step-by-step explanation:
Since the 1970s, the relationship between the president and the press has undergone significant changes. In the 1960s, reporters shifted from passively covering the president's activities to a more adversarial role, known as investigative reporting. This change was influenced by events like the Vietnam War and Watergate. Currently, journalists see their role as investigative, while media owners prioritize entertainment. However, media reporting continues to have a great impact on events.
During the Trump administration, there was a notable shift in the relationship between the president and the press. President Trump relied heavily on social media platforms and criticized the media as untrustworthy, resulting in critical coverage from most outlets. This led to legal battles between media outlets and the White House over press access. In contrast, President Biden's relationship with the press is more conventional, with regular press briefings.
Throughout history, presidents have used various strategies to influence media coverage. For example, Franklin D. Roosevelt struck agreements with journalists to ensure positive coverage, while John F. Kennedy held frequent press conferences. The media-government relationship remains contentious, with some administrations using the media to promote their agenda while others limit media access to control the message.