The Media’s Betrayal of the American Public

In this book, Batya Ungar-Sargon argues that American journalism has undergone a significant transformation over the twentieth century, evolving from a blue-collar trade to an elite profession. This shift has led journalists to focus more on the concerns of their affluent, highly educated peers rather than the working class. The book explores how the rise of the Internet and the decline of local news have nationalized elite news media, aligning corporate incentives with ideological newsroom crusades. Ungar-Sargon contends that this transformation has resulted in a media landscape that prioritizes 'woke' narratives and identity politics over class-conscious reporting, thereby consolidating the power of liberal elites and undermining American democracy[2][4][5].

In 'Second Class', Batya Ungar-Sargon presents a detailed look at the lives of American working-class individuals through extensive interviews and data analysis. The book is divided into two parts: the first profiles the state of the working class, categorizing them into the Struggling, Floating, and Rising tiers; the second proposes policy solutions to improve their lives. Ungar-Sargon addresses key issues such as immigration, job requirements, and the social safety net, arguing that the elites have betrayed the working class by prioritizing the interests of capital owners over wage-earners. The book emphasizes the need for policies that benefit working-class Americans and highlights the disconnect between the political class and the everyday concerns of working people.