By Ellie Singh
In today’s world, where capitalist agendas drive everything and profit is prioritized above all else, journalism and the press are frequently accused of misrepresentations, and this criticism is not without merit. The rise of digital platforms and 24/7 news cycles has overwhelmed people with information, making it increasingly difficult to distinguish fact from fiction. Amidst this information overload lurks the more sinister phenomenon of misinformation, the identification of which becomes a greater challenge as time passes. In his book, First Battle: Inside the Mainstream Media’s War on Trump’s Presidency, Johannes Kriek delves into this issue, uncovering the media’s bias against Donald Trump. Through carefully documented evidence, Kriek demonstrates how this bias was not only openly displayed but actively cultivated by the mainstream media during Trump’s presidency.
The threat of misinformation is perhaps most prevalent and concerning in the domain of politics. Traditional journalism, though often adhering to established professional norms and codes, is still vulnerable to the influence of personal biases. Despite claims of objectivity, the presentation of truth, relevance, and importance is based on selective choices of facts, analyses, and arguments. These decisions are not always objective and can be swayed by one’s identity, values, and—most crucially—emotions. In other words, personal feelings often play a significant role in shaping the media’s portrayal of political events.
Within the realm of political misinformation, research suggests that emotions such as anger and anxiety may play a key role in how people consume and process news. For example, anger can fuel strong, politically aligned beliefs in misinformation, causing people to embrace news stories that conform to their existing biases. On the other hand, anxiety can lead individuals to be more open to politically discordant news, as heightened feelings of uncertainty prompt them to consider opposing viewpoints. Essentially, while anger drives biased, instinctive reasoning, anxiety fosters a more reflective approach. These findings highlight how emotions influence the way people perceive the accuracy of news stories, particularly in an era where truth is increasingly contested.
Despite the concerns surrounding fake news, recent studies suggest that the actual exposure to and consumption of such content may be overestimated. In fact, fake news reportedly accounts for less than half a percent of the average American’s daily media diet. This discrepancy between perception and reality suggests that while the fear of fake news is widespread, its actual impact on people’s information consumption habits may be more limited than assumed.
In today’s rapidly evolving media landscape, assumptions are no longer reliable. Whether it’s the result of extensive polling or focus group discussions, there is growing uncertainty about what constitutes the truth. Many people hesitate to be fully honest, while others feel justified in bending the truth, due to social or political pressures. As a result, anyone attempting to present facts must first appeal to their audience’s emotions in order to gain trust. Without establishing this emotional connection, factual information may be disregarded or overshadowed by competing narratives.
We are living in what some call a “post-truth” era, where competition, media practices, and consumer behavior are shifting dramatically. The creation of fake news is not new—it has existed in forms like tabloid magazines for decades. However, with the rise of technology and the proliferation of social media, individuals now have unprecedented opportunities to create websites and disseminate false information to a vast audience. What was once confined to supermarket aisles has now exploded across the internet, reaching thousands, if not millions, of people with a single click.
Furthermore, the spread of “fake news” websites has only compounded the issue. These sites push inaccurate and misleading stories to an audience that was once accustomed to trusting traditional media outlets to conduct proper fact-checking. As polished, professional-looking websites churn out falsehoods at an alarming rate, the distinction between credible news and fabricated stories blurs. In this era of post-truth, it seems that we are becoming increasingly powerless to stop the onslaught of misinformation and the biased narratives it creates. Falsehoods often eclipse the truth, emotions frequently overshadow objectivity, and personal opinions are elevated above fact-based reporting.
In a world where “knowledge takes a backseat to emotions,” even respected intellectuals are not immune to resorting to personal attacks instead of engaging in reasoned, fact-based discourse. This troubling shift signals the fragmentation of the public sphere, as emotional appeals dominate discussions and truth becomes a casualty of media manipulation.
In this day and age, it is more critical than ever to approach news and information with a discerning, critical mindset. Biased media and false representations are prevalent, and the ability to navigate these challenges requires developing strong media literacy. To understand the impact of media bias on U.S. democracy during and leading up to the 2020 elections, consider reading Johannes Kriek’s compelling book, First Battle: Inside the Mainstream Media’s War on Trump’s Presidency, now available on Amazon.
