In a compelling discussion, James Fallows, a veteran journalist at The Atlantic, delves into the troubling state of political journalism and its impact on democracy. He explores how the decline of local news contributes to misinformation and public distrust. Fallows critiques the trend of 'both sides-ism' and emphasizes the need for nuanced reporting. He also shares innovative solutions to rejuvenate local journalism and highlights the importance of understanding the complexities of America's political divide for better community engagement.
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insights INSIGHT
Internet's Impact on Media
The internet intensified competition for clicks and attention, worsening the press's existing flaws.
It amplified the worst impulses of the press, forcing them to double down on negative practices.
insights INSIGHT
Local vs. National News
The internet's biggest impact is eliminating local publications' business model.
National media, like the New York Times, have become more focused on politics, which is the least useful news.
question_answer ANECDOTE
Press Conference Questions
James Fallows compared White House press conference questions with those asked by the public.
Reporters focused on political strategy, while the public asked about real-life issues like healthcare and jobs.
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Written by Thornton Wilder, 'Our Town' is a classic American play that delves into the everyday lives of the residents of Grover's Corners, New Hampshire. The play is divided into three acts, each focusing on different aspects of life: daily routines, love and marriage, and death. The Stage Manager guides the audience through the narrative, highlighting the universal themes of human existence. The play is notable for its minimalist staging and its emphasis on the importance of appreciating the details and interactions of everyday life. It won the Pulitzer Prize for Drama in 1938 and has become one of the most performed American plays of the 20th century.
Public Opinion
Stefano di Lorenzo
Walter Lippmann
In 'Public Opinion', Walter Lippmann explores the nature of public opinion, how it is formed, and its influence on democratic processes. Published in 1922, the book critiques the ideal of direct democracy and argues that the public's perceptions are often shaped by incomplete and inaccurate information. Lippmann discusses the role of media, stereotypes, and other factors in shaping public opinion, highlighting the challenges in achieving informed and rational public discourse.
Breaking News
Frank Schätzing
The Paradox of Democracy
Free Speech, Open Media, and Perilous Persuasion
Sean Illing
Zac Gershberg
The Paradox of Democracy captures the deep connection between communication and political culture, from the ancient art of rhetoric and the revolutionary role of newspapers to liberal broadcast media and the toxic misinformation of the digital public sphere. With clear-eyed analysis, Gershberg and Illing show that our contemporary debates over media, populism, and cancel culture are not too different from the democratic cultural experiences of the past. They argue that democracy is always perched precipitously on a razor’s edge, now as ever before, and that democratic freedom can be self-negating due to the power of persuasion and the potential for manipulation by authoritarian forces.
Sean Illing talks with James Fallows, veteran reporter and editor at The Atlantic, about the state of political journalism in America. Fallows has been covering the relationship between media and democracy since the mid-nineties, when his book Breaking the News presciently documented the roots of a growing mistrust in news media. Sean and James talk about the dangers facing the political press today, why national political news is not useful to most Americans, and what can be done to regain the people's trust in journalism.
Host: Sean Illing (@seanilling), host, The Gray Area
The Gray Area with Sean Illing 
