The Art of the Fake News Reel
Recently, major news outlets from CNN to Buzzfeed reported on Russian hackers suspected of using fake news on Qatar’s state news to create tension between the U.S. and its allies. This is not the only time the public has been duped by fake news reports, nor is it the only way we our attention is diverted from the real issues at home and abroad. A far bigger issue with the news currently is the caliber of stories being produced.
Sensationalism Pays Big
The news media has become something more closely resembling an artful illusion than an honest reporting venue. Like a magician distracting us with his left hand while the right is busy working, major issues are regularly being disguised by the sleight of airing overly-sensationalized stories chosen for their entertainment value rather than their relevance to current issues. Why? Because sensationalism gets views, and views get ad dollars.
At its heart, the media is just another business. Newscasters are looking to make money and turn a profit. Driven by fierce competition to claim more eyeballs and more clicks so as to garner a greater percentage of the available ad revenue, media outlets grapple for stories that will attract viewers. They are more interested in news that sells than news that actually makes a difference. When faced with a choice between publishing the latest Trump tweet and publishing an expose on soaring incarceration rates in the Midwest or the ongoing Syrian Civil War, Trump’s 140 characters will always win.
