Freakonomics Radio Why Is U.S. Media So Negative? (Ep. 477 Replay)
22 snips
Aug 18, 2022 
Join economist Bruce Sasserdote from Dartmouth and NYU researcher Steve Rathje as they unpack the deep-rooted negativity bias in U.S. media. They discuss how sensationalized coverage, especially during the pandemic, fuels public anxiety and undermines trust in journalism. Discover how social media algorithms amplify this negativity for clicks while ignoring more positive narratives. With insights into the implications of this cycle, Sasserdote and Rathje advocate for a shift towards fostering a more optimistic outlook on society and media.
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Sacerdote's Frustration
- Bruce Sacerdote, an economist, felt frustrated with the COVID news coverage.
- He found it overly negative and lacking useful information for understanding the pandemic.
Negativity in U.S. Media
- Sacerdote questioned if major U.S. media's COVID coverage was excessively negative compared to other sources.
- He wondered about the impact of this negativity and its connection to the U.S. media's economic structure.
Profiting from Pessimism
- Sacerdote suspected media outlets, being profit-driven, thrived on pessimism.
- He believed they catered to people's fears and existing tastes.
