The media revolution ecosystem was a major producer of gridlock in Congress and divisions in society. These divisions have actually been good for the news business.
Many national television and print organizations are more profitable than ever. Here are some of the temptations they face:
- Many TV news organizations have given-in to temptations to increase ads, to shorten serious reports, to add lighter and more entertaining stories, and to repeat over and over those that have emotional appeal.
- They have also focused more on developing celebrity anchors and reporters.
- In addition, mainstream news has not yet figured out how to report lies and tribal divisions without appearing to favor one side or the other… as retired co-founder of PBS’s News Hour explained on CNN’s Reliable Sources.
- Also, watching professionally directed events and crises on TV is a much different experience than being there live. News can easily be turned into exciting drama.
Right now, everyone in the news business should be feeling a “freedom of the press” obligation to curtail commercial temptations and focus mostly on reporting truth. Maybe they should also spend some of their recent profits on funding media and civic literacy education in schools and communities.
Larry D. Lauer 
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