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Madam45for2923

(7,178 posts)
Sun Nov 6, 2016, 10:24 AM Nov 2016

BLAME THE RISE OF TRUMP ON THE FAILURE OF TV NEWS ~ Newsweek

Last edited Sun Nov 6, 2016, 05:14 PM - Edit history (1)


During the primaries, the cable TV networks virtually handed a free microphone to Donald Trump, while giving other candidates a small fraction of his attention. By February, Trump had “earned” nearly $2 billion of free media, more than six times that of his closest Republican competitor, Ted Cruz, and almost nine times the next closest candidate, Jeb Bush.

The tens of millions of Americans who most often get their news from television, 57 percent of U.S. adults according to the Pew Research Center, had been fed a steady diet of Trump PR.

TV gave scant attention to the long history belying Trump’s claims that his personal successes would surely “Make America Great Again.” Instead, the all-Trump-all-the-time media attention permitted the presidential candidate to perpetuate the myth he had built as the savvy billionaire who would be America’s savior.

Millions of Republican voters fell for it. Even during Republican primary debates, many of the questions were Trump-centric, focusing on his statements and positions. While Trump sucked up air time, little was left for other candidates, a huge disadvantage in their efforts to connect with the American public.

As ratings soared, CBS CEO Les Moonves said of Trump’s dominance in the election coverage, “It may not be good for America, but it’s damn good for CBS.… The money’s rolling in and this is fun.”

Indeed, the Trump ratings boost has been manna for an industry that had been under assault from the internet, suffering years of shrinking audience, a rapid aging of viewer demographics and declines in profitability.

So, why shouldn’t TV executives be celebrating? Because the news business is about more than making money, more important things like ensuring the public is well informed. An informed electorate is crucial in a democracy where citizens are responsible for electing their leaders.

Unfortunately, millions of Americans who rely upon television as their primary source of news were misinformed; TV news coverage of the primary season, particularly cable TV news, failed the American public.

It’s true that earning a profit is important to sustaining any business. The days of news as a prestige loss-leader for the TV networks are long gone. But, the news business must measure itself by factors other than ratings and revenues because of its responsibility to the public.

So, it’s high time for TV news organizations to take a look in the mirror, commit to a serious review of their coverage of the presidential race and determine how they can better serve the viewers who depend upon them for accurate information.

Here are a few suggestions for starters: http://www.newsweek.com/blame-rise-trump-failure-tv-news-516162

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Buzz Clik

(38,437 posts)
1. Meh. His adoring crowds don't give a damn about facts, context, history, or reality.
Sun Nov 6, 2016, 10:28 AM
Nov 2016

The media couldn't have done a thing about this.

Nay

(12,051 posts)
9. No, they don't, but the simple repetition of all the Trump messages, to the
Sun Nov 6, 2016, 11:21 AM
Nov 2016

detriment of messages from any other candidate (Pub or Dem), is the definition of biased reporting. The media could have avoided doing this, at least.

Add to that the unwillingness to produce news pieces that correct Trump's lies, omissions, and actual background and you've got actual shilling (for free) for one candidate. That's a corporate propaganda operation.

 

Buzz Clik

(38,437 posts)
11. Er, what?
Sun Nov 6, 2016, 11:31 AM
Nov 2016
the simple repetition of all the Trump messages, to the detriment of messages from any other candidate (Pub or Dem), is the definition of biased reporting.

No, it is not. The definition of biased reporting is reporting only one side or filtering out parts of the news based only on the whims of the medium in question. Not repeating Trump's message would be bias of the first order.

BSdetect

(8,989 posts)
2. We're in a real quagmire now whoever caused this mess.
Sun Nov 6, 2016, 10:31 AM
Nov 2016

And it not over yet I fear.

Now that his ratbag campaign is rolling along he will be around sniping at democracy until he drops dead. As he garnishes the fruits of his labor from those nitwits who swallowed his poison.





Cha

(295,929 posts)
3. Oh I do.. one of those CEO's even admitted it.. was it cnn's?
Sun Nov 6, 2016, 10:32 AM
Nov 2016

I'm so grateful for Allan Chernoff calling out the US "media"..

Thank you, Madam45!

BeyondGeography

(39,284 posts)
5. They played the Access Hollywood tape and they showed a dozen molestation victims
Sun Nov 6, 2016, 10:57 AM
Nov 2016

That should have been enough for a civilized electorate. And there was much more that was widely reported. I blame his supporters. Not even close.

Garrett78

(10,721 posts)
12. "Racists and bigots...comprise only a small percent." Bullshit!!!
Sun Nov 6, 2016, 01:01 PM
Nov 2016

Without racists, misogynists and xenophobes, there is no Trump candidacy. Actually, there wouldn't be a viable Republican Party.

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