#206 Chris Stirewalt on Broken News, KayFabe, and Operatives
Nov 5, 2024
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Chris Stirewalt, a prominent political analyst and author of *Broken News*, dives deep into the fractured state of American media. He explores how the shift from centralized news to a chaotic landscape influences public discourse and community engagement. Stirewalt intriguingly connects politics to 'kayfabe,' shedding light on the authenticity of political performances. He also draws parallels between the archetypes in professional wrestling and politics, highlighting how these roles shape public perception in both arenas.
The podcast highlights the shift in media dynamics from local to national coverage, which has diminished community engagement and diverse viewpoints.
It emphasizes the need for consumers and media organizations to develop approaches that encourage thoughtful news consumption and address biases to foster informed public discourse.
Deep dives
The Breakdown of the News Ecosystem
The podcast discusses the significant fragmentation of the news ecosystem that began in the 1990s, moving from a stable environment dominated by local newspapers and a few national outlets to a chaotic media landscape driven by cable news and the internet. This transition has resulted in a highly competitive marketplace where sensationalism and outrage often dominate content due to the demand for attention and profits. The conversation highlights how this shift has led to a general sense of instability for news consumers, who struggle to find reliable sources amidst the constant barrage of information that incites anger and tribalism. Understanding this evolution is crucial for news consumers, as it influences how news is presented and perceived in the current environment.
Local News Decline and its Effects
The decline of local news is identified as a major contributor to the challenges facing public discourse today. Local coverage once provided communities with the ability to engage in diverse viewpoints, fostering relationships among citizens who shared the same geographic space despite differing opinions. The shift to national news coverage means that many local issues are overshadowed by a predominantly political narrative, reducing opportunities for communities to collaboratively address local problems. As a result, this transition has been detrimental to informed citizen engagement, as local voices are lost in favor of a more polarized national conversation.
The Role of Demand in Information Consumption
The podcast explores the idea that today's media consumption is increasingly driven by consumer demand, which often favors sensational and emotionally charged content. Just as people's food choices can lean towards unhealthy options due to taste, news consumption reflects a similar relationship where individuals gravitate towards information that aligns with their biases and reinforces their identities. This demand side problem complicates the ability of journalists and media organizations to provide fair and balanced reporting, as catering to audience preferences often results in deeper polarization. The challenge lies in balancing consumer desires with the responsibility of journalism to inform and educate the public accurately.
Navigating the New Information Landscape
In addressing the challenges posed by the evolving information landscape, the podcast emphasizes the importance of developing new filters and approaches to consume news thoughtfully. It suggests that both media organizations and consumers must strive for aspirational fairness, recognizing their biases while aiming to present balanced perspectives. This involves questioning the motivations behind information sources and the narratives they promote, rather than simply accepting them at face value. Ultimately, the podcast underscores a collective responsibility to navigate the complexities of the current information environment while striving for greater understanding and dialogue among diverse opinions.
The Cognitive Crucible is a forum that presents different perspectives and emerging thought leadership related to the information environment. The opinions expressed by guests are their own, and do not necessarily reflect the views of or endorsement by the Information Professionals Association.
During this episode, Chris Stirewalt discusses the state of media as presented in his latest book: Broken News: Why the Media Rage Machine Divides America and How to Fight Back. Chris believes that a major component of the challenges faced by news consumers can be explained by “demand side” dynamics. We also discuss KayFabe and News/Political Operatives.
Recording Date: 6 Aug 2024
Research Question: Guest suggests as interested student examine:
Guest Bio: Chris Stirewalt is a contributing editor at The Dispatch, a senior fellow at the American Enterprise Institute, the politics editor for NewsNation and anchor of The Hill Sunday, co-host of the Ink Stained Wretches podcast, and author of Broken News, a book on media and politics.
About: The Information Professionals Association (IPA) is a non-profit organization dedicated to exploring the role of information activities, such as influence and cognitive security, within the national security sector and helping to bridge the divide between operations and research. Its goal is to increase interdisciplinary collaboration between scholars and practitioners and policymakers with an interest in this domain.