Larry D. Lauer

After this crazy midterm election, and looking forward to 2020, this seems to be the perfect time to review the basics of media as they very likely will shape the days ahead in politics.

• Strong television presence is now required to run for most important political offices.
• Media will continue as weapons… used by partisan competitors and foreign governments.
• The cost of campaigning will continue to limit who can run for office.
• The dominance of images and drama has permanently changed news reporting.
• Commercial judgments will influence story selection even more as journalists become celebrities.
• The overall 24/7 news deluge, media used by opponents as weapons, and media assaults by foreign governments, will all contribute to “fake news” confusion.
• TV’s preference for drama will continue to give the presidency access at will, upsetting the balance of power.
• Those in Congress who perform well on camera will have greater access to news coverage.
• Newspapers will still be looking for ways to generate revenue, and being competitive. It can affect news judgments.
• Talk radio will continue to be a force, especially for extremists.
• Consumers will continue to choose media that reinforce their biases.
• TV and social media will continue to rob families of bonding time, with various consequences.
• Evangelicals will continue to use media’s dramatic potential, and mainstream denominations will continue to struggle with media’s behavior consequences.
• Education will continue to incorporate new media and digital technology, with varied results.
• Technology made the world smaller, but instead of building unity it magnified our differences.
• Managing foreign policy is now more difficult as news instantly swirls around the world.
• Midterm election results have made the White House even more anxious and unstable.
• Media literacy and civic education as a part of public education will become even more important.

When social media and digital technology connected with the imagery and emotion of television, an entirely new and confusing media ecosystem emerged. Dealing with its consequences will remain a huge challenge in the months and years ahead.