The mainstream media (MSM), including CNN, NBC, FOX, and CBS, play a huge role in the political system. Over the past year, these outlets have shown almost exclusively coverage of Clinton and Trump, far before either candidate had won their respective nominations. Anti-establishment populists like Bernie Sanders were rarely covered, and when they were, it was usually negative.
The MSM has also prioritized unimportant political news above important news about disasters in order to get more views. They failed to meet the "newsworthiness" aspect of journalism, as listed in the seven yardsticks. For example, CNN one time had a segment about how Donald Trump ate fried chicken with a fork. Meanwhile, on scroll was a story about a terrorist organization using poisonous gas to kill over thirty people.
The downside to populist media is they prioritize news that will grab attention but do not show important news that people need to know, but don't necessarily want to hear. I believe they should do a better job in balanced media, and tell us news we need to hear, not just what we want to hear.
I don't think this critique is specific enough, Andrew. Your example is all over the internet, so it's not original, and the rest of your post is just generalizations without specific examples. You need to focus on one particular problem that you personally noticed and aim your critique at that.
ReplyDelete