During his first term as president, Donald Trump labeled the majority of the media as fake. Many American adults believe the news media contributes to political polarization. The schism between Donald Trump and mainstream media highlights a growing lack of trust in American political discourse. Only 20% of Americans believe the media provided accurate information. Whereas 40% believe the Information Highway is harming American democracy.
The Widening Divide: Trump vs. Mainstream Media
The relationship between former President Donald Trump and mainstream media outlets has been strained, to say the least. This adversarial interaction has exposed a deep schism in political communication, which has resonated with many conservatives. Much of the media’s alarming portrayal of Trump has eroded trust in these news platforms, highlighting a significant gap between political ideologies and journalistic enterprises in today’s United States.
According to a recent study, nearly three-quarters of US adults believe the news media contributes to political polarization. This sentiment is especially strong among Republicans, who are more likely to view the media as a threat to democracy. According to the study, just under half of Americans have little or no trust in the media’s ability to report news fairly and accurately.
Patrick Bet-David: “You kind of did kill mainstream media.”
Trump: “I did. I’m very proud of it too.”
pic.twitter.com/i5hLnDRN37— 💋🇺🇸 Country Over Party🇺🇸🇮🇱🇺🇦🇹🇼 (@gagirlpolitics) October 17, 2024
The Role of Media in Political Polarization
Walter Cronkite was once regarded as America’s most trusted man, but the media landscape has changed dramatically. Deregulation in the 1970s and 1980s, including the weakening of the fairness doctrine, shifted media attention away from the public interest and toward profitability. The Telecommunications Act of 1996 allowed media monopolies to grow, resulting in the rise of outlets such as Fox News.
“Two generations ago, Walter Cronkite was the most trusted man in America.” – Khadijah Costley White
These shifts have contributed to the current state of political communication, in which trust in the news media has plummeted. According to a survey conducted in 2023, 26% of Democrats and 60% of Republicans have little to no trust in the media. According to research, Democrats trust a broader range of sources than Republicans, who primarily trust FOX and Newsmax.
GUTFELD: “Every time you’re under a bigger threat, the media still blames you even more. It’s almost that they don’t see their own role in this.”
TRUMP: “The media is extremely dishonest, corrupt actually.” pic.twitter.com/4wsfoqJpUi
— Conservative War Machine (@WarMachineRR) September 19, 2024
Trump’s Impact on Media Perception
Donald Trump’s presidency marked a watershed moment in the White House’s relationship with the press. His labeling of mainstream media as “fake news” appealed to many Americans who were already skeptical of traditional news outlets. This rhetoric has had a long-lasting effect on public perception of the media.
“Everyone tells a different story. The media does nothing but stir up fear, For me, and for most of the people I know, we feel like we’re totally in the dark.” – Janis Fort
A study of media coverage of the early days of the Trump administration found differences depending on the political leanings of news outlets. When compared to left-leaning or mixed-audience outlets, right-leaning outlets cited fewer source types, gave Trump more positive feedback, and were less likely to challenge his statements.
The Misinformation Challenge
Misinformation is a major concern in today’s media landscape. Misinformation is a problem for roughly 9 out of 10 adults in the United States, with many expecting inaccuracies in news stories, particularly those seen on social media. Importantly, 60% of respondents believe the media is responsible for the spread of misinformation and should take action.
The phenomenon of “sanewashing,” in which media outlets are accused of downplaying a person or idea’s radicality in order to make it more appealing to the public, has exacerbated the problem. Some critics argue that when this practice is used to cover Donald Trump, it amounts to misinformation that endangers democracy.
Next Steps
The current state of political communication in the United States poses serious challenges to democracy. Harvard Law School’s Martha Minow warns of a crisis caused by a lack of shared reality, which will have an impact on democracy and coexistence. To address these issues, some experts propose promoting more nonprofit media, increasing funding for local journalism, and actively combating misinformation.
As the country grapples with these challenges, it is clear that rebuilding trust in the media and fostering a more unified political discourse will necessitate collaborative efforts from all parties. The ability to bridge this communication gap may be critical to the future of American democracy.
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