The Rise of Politically Partisan Infotainment - 2039 Words

Fox News: The Rise of Politically Partisan Infotainment Consumers now have access to more information than in any other point in history, and are being subjected to partisan news on a larger scale than ever before. Partisan news outlets, such as Fox News and MSNBC tailor their broadcasts to appeal to the confirmation bias of their target audiences. Each network not only chooses which stories to run based on the interest of their target demographic, but also frames the facts in a way that leads consumers to believe that their own beliefs, however factual, are correct, which aligns with a scientific principle known as confirmation bias. Confirmation bias is the tendency for people to seek out information that aligns with their beliefs,†¦show more content†¦198) Before the shift to bias or partisan news, the U.S. was brought together by World War II. Many people received their information only by newspaper or radio and there was a sense of pride knowing that journalists were sharing truthful information with the public. Thussu (1998) said that it is a journalists duty to explain the information they were providing and not â€Å"indulge in cheap ‘event journalism.’ â€Å"It was never good enough to throw our hands up in horror that people were dying †¦ We had to work out why – to chase the story back to its roots, and write about its origins fearlessly, even if it turned out that the ultimate beneficiary of the people’s suffering was a politician or a proprietor who had power over your own livelihood, or even your own life. A journalist’s right to investigate was not God-given: it was earned by playing one’s part responsibly in guarding the values of human society.† In the late 1950s and into the 1960s responsibility played a large role in how news was distributed. Three television networks, ABC, CBS, and NBC, were among the outlets with formally trained news anchors who brought forth a sense of unity in the country. But, as the years progressed and people began to develop special interests, the ways news was relayed transformed (Turow, 1997, p. 40). However, the biggest transformation was in the early 2000s when the threeShow MoreRelatedStudy Guide5838 Words   |  24 PagesGovernment supposed to protect freedom, maintain order or promote equality? Is there conflict between these goals? Chapter 5. Congress   Key Terms: Article I Necessary and Proper Clause Implied Powers Bicameral Reapportionment Incumbents Partisan Gerrymandering Baker v Carr Bill Committee/Subcommittee Seniority Hearings Mark-Up Rules Committee Filibuster Cloture Pocket Veto Veto Override Majority Party/Minority Party Speaker of the House Whips Unified Government Divided Government-