A House Divided Against Itself Cannot Survive

Advertisers began to analyze large amounts of demographic data and target their products’ advertising more precisely. The national audience was sliced and diced. Advertisers could aim at audiences that were likely interested in a particular product. Nearly simultaneously, cable television began. Unlike ABC, CBS, and NBC, cable television targets narrow niche audiences. Instead of spending big money to reach mass audiences, advertisers could spend less money and reach the narrow demographics that they were seeking. Cable brought another change to television, the 24-hour news cycle.

The 24-hour cycle meant that cable newsrooms did not have the longer period to analyze what was happening that the major networks had. The major newsrooms had time to prepare content, check it, edit it, vet it and then present it. Unfortunately, preparing, checking, editing, and vetting fell by the wayside as cable reporters had to go immediately on the air with any event that appeared to be of interest to their particular audience. Speed superseded accuracy and mistakes occur daily. Cable news presents instant opinions from “experts” that may be acting out instinct rather than information. That is why cable news is so susceptible to error: misinformation. The results, fully half of Americans no longer trust the news.

Further, if you use a computer, its search engines know you. Super high-speed computers and now Artificial Intelligence use algorithms to track your internet activity identifying what you like and do not like. Advertisers now know your tastes, interests, hobbies, and consumption patterns. They also know what to avoid, and what turns you off. This has resulted in news echo chambers; you hear only the news that appeals to you. Traditional news media continues to miss ad dollars, they are unable to target their audiences as precisely as cable news. Cable advertisers know which news outlet is slanted the way you like and mix their advertisements in with the news that you watch. Appeal rather than facts are for sale. You now listen only to the news that caters to your likes.

The results of this catering: We, the citizens of America, no longer hear all of the truth. No network can now calm that its anchor is “the most trusted man in America.” No network can end its broadcasts with “And that’s the way it is.” Our ideals and principles are more and more diverse as we grow further and further apart. We no longer share the same standards, morals, and ethics. Fewer and fewer of us accept the traditions that once held our Nation together. It is scary isn’t it? We are a divided Nation.

Another component of the growing division in America is the use of our media by our Nation’s institutions to manipulate us citizens. Some in our government were doing that became very apparent during our Covid pandemic. Information that was counter to what our government was saying was squashed, information that later turned out to be true, information that could have changed the direction of treatment, particularly of our children. Our government suppressed free speech. I think most now agree that that was a mistake. Soon, we may get a Supreme Court ruling on that practice.