The Origins of Right-Wing Media

The establishment of right-wing media can be traced back to the Nixon administration, which sought to manipulate public perception through controlled messaging. Nixon's dissatisfaction with traditional media coverage led him to explore ways to create pro-administration content, laying the groundwork for modern conservative media strategies. Early attempts included the production of a pro-war documentary in response to critical coverage of the Vietnam War, featuring Roger Ailes, who envisioned a television landscape that served conservative interests. This initiative marked the beginning of a long trajectory towards the creation of dedicated conservative news outlets, emphasizing the right's desire for media that reinforced their narratives.