Fast news leads to stupid gov't policy
Communications pro & writer Alex Greenwood posits that news media is failing--if not ruining--our democracy. The supposed watchdog of the government, and the defender of democracy, has largely become little more than an echo chamber of partisan politics, peddling an illusion of information. A top-to-bottom reform of media management is called for. From Medium.
Let’s take a step back and remind ourselves of what journalism should be — a pillar of democracy. The Founding Fathers thought so highly of the press that they enshrined its freedom in the First Amendment. But somewhere along the line, we’ve allowed that sanctified institution to turn into an industry of illusion, a self-serving circus where truth is a rare act, overshadowed by the sophistry of ideological performance.
First, the commoditization of news. The news media was once a sacred, non-negotiable pillar of society, tasked with the role of informing the public about essential topics: international happenings, public policy debates, and scientific breakthroughs.
Today, the news is not about information — it’s about entertainment.
The 24-hour news cycle is not really news. It's more like recycled hot takes and bad faith clambering into a clown car in a race to the bottom.
Networks seem more eager to rack up viewership numbers and generate ad revenue than to actually inform the public. The news is no longer a public service; it’s a business.
Take it from an old newspaper guy — things have not improved by offering more hours of news, mostly because there is precious little news in it.
Second, the polarization of media. Commercializing news has come with its costs. And those costs are, lamentably, at the expense of our democracy. Instead of challenging viewers with different viewpoints and fostering thoughtful conversation, cable news channels have segmented the audience into partisan tribes, reinforcing existing beliefs, and amplifying the polarization in our society.
Imagine a world where you could choose your facts. Well, you don’t have to imagine it; you’re living in it. You can flick between Fox Channel, CNN, MSNBC, etc., and find entirely different narratives about the same event. This echo chamber effect doesn’t just limit the information viewers receive — it breeds contempt and division among those with differing opinions. The result? A society more divided than ever, and democracy suffers.
This division is no accident. It is by design, and it is profitable. I’ve long argued that the markets are not just a reflection of reality but creators of it. The same principle applies to the cable news market. The more extreme, sensational, and polarized the news becomes, the higher the ratings. Cable news networks are not in the business of enlightening citizens; they are in the business of attracting eyeballs.
Then we come to the misinformation epidemic. In the age of Big Tech, the problem is exacerbated by algorithmic amplification. Social media platforms feed on the polarity and spread it like wildfire. This perpetual cycle of misinformation and disinformation is not just a threat to the individual’s ability to make informed decisions; it’s a ticking time bomb for our democratic institutions.
This trend has perpetuated a world where conspiracy theories are no longer confined to the fringe but hold center stage on mainstream news outlets.
We’ve taken the “marketplace of ideas” metaphor too literally, allowing the principles of supply and demand to dictate the flow of information.
In theory, more voices should lead to a broader, more nuanced conversation. But in reality, the voices have become so loud, so extreme, and so divisive that we’re no longer having a conversation. We’re shouting into the void, with each side turning a deaf ear to the other.
So, what’s the solution?
We need to start by putting public interest back at the center of our news media. To do that, we need to rethink the business models that govern our media, moving away from advertising-driven models that prioritize eyeballs over accuracy.
It lies in accountability, transparency, and digital literacy.
Accountability needs to come from the top down. Networks should be held responsible for promoting false information. This doesn’t mean stifling freedom of speech; it means demanding truth in reporting. We need better regulation of both the traditional media and tech giants to ensure that the quality and accuracy of information is prioritized. This isn’t about censoring voices; it’s about maintaining a sense of decency, responsibility, and above all, truth, in our national dialogue.
Transparency means that cable news networks must be upfront about their biases. An openly partisan outlet is less harmful than a covertly biased one.
Critical thinking and Digital literacy are the most crucial weapons in our arsenal. In a world flooded with information, we must teach our citizens how to differentiate between fact and fiction. This is a skill that’s needed now more than ever.
I’ve said it before, and I’ll say it again: a supine populace and a fat cat Congress, the former ginned up by and the latter using the news media to grasp and hold onto power, is dangerous.
The failure of cable news in a democracy is not an unsolvable problem. We’ve identified the issues; now, it’s time to start working on the solutions. The future of our democracy depends on it.
We find ourselves at a crossroads, and the path we choose will have profound implications for our democracy. Let’s choose the path of integrity, of facts, of nuanced discourse, and of shared understanding. Because democracy, dear reader, is too precious a thing to lose.
Let’s demand better.
Read the whole thing here.
Follow Opportunity Now on Twitter @svopportunity
We prize letters from our thoughtful readers. Typed on a Smith Corona. Written in longhand on fine stationery. Scribbled on a napkin. Hey, even composed on email. Feel free to send your comments to us at opportunitynowsv@gmail.com or (snail mail) 1590 Calaveras Ave., SJ, CA 95126. Remember to be thoughtful and polite. We will post letters on an irregular basis on the main Opp Now site.