Explain the importance of televised debates in US presidential elections.

Televised debates in US presidential elections has shaped not only the US political sphere but also that of most western democratic states. Previous to the 1960s, debates tended to be based in party ideology and less on the candidate themselves. However, this trended changed greatly in the 1960s election-cycle as Kennedy and Nixon embarked on the first broadcast US presidential debate. Turning away from the ideological discussions of the past, candidates were forced into the public eye causing them to focus on their own personal policy concerns, as well as their outward image. The introduction of television pushed many candidates to stress their personal attributes, sometimes even more than their political affinity. For example, much of Ronald Regan’s popularity was due largely to his great television personality. Televised debates, while bringing people throughout the US information on policy also greatly influences the vote through politicians becoming far more humanized than in the past.  With the introduction of televised debates alongside the ever-growing technological revolution at the time the US was forced to advance telecommunication laws. Previously regarded as the Communications Act of 1934, the federal law established the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to deal with matter according to radio and television. However, post-televised US presidential elections the commission was forced to address equality in the eyes of media. Mass media, one of the most influential drivers in elections, had to be critically analyzed for its role in a catalyst in portraying policy as well as politicians. In particular, the equal-time rule enacted by the FCC was created to check broadcaster participation in elections. Through ensuring all candidates equal air-time, the FCC guaranteed equivalent opportunity to all candidates in political races. The introduction of televised debate has advanced telecommunication law, especially in the time of the technological revolution, to best ensure equality among politicians running for office.