"People in the mass media tend more and more every day to look and act like elected and appointed officials"

This quote by L. Neil Smith recommends that individuals in the mass media are increasingly taking on the qualities of elected and appointed authorities. This might be translated in a couple of ways. To start with, it might imply that individuals in the mass media are ending up being more politically active and taking on the functions of elected and appointed officials. Secondly, it might mean that individuals in the mass media are becoming more like the politicians they cover, in regards to their behavior, language, and appearance. Lastly, it could suggest that people in the mass media are becoming more powerful and influential, and hence more like chosen and appointed authorities. Whatever the interpretation, this quote suggests that people in the mass media are becoming a growing number of like the politicians they cover.