Can someone explain to me.... (regarding Trump)

[Dill]

(11-15-2016, 09:48 AM)Bengalzona Wrote: This all changed around 1988 during the first Bush Admin. The FCC was ordered to change their rules and no longer monitor the political content in the media. This wasn't such a big deal at the time. It was made because cable TV was expanding to almost 100 stations (at that time) and the GOP, who have generally mistrusted media since the 60's anyway, felt this would even the playing field in media. There could be stations which promoted their views. Also, biased "shock jock" radio was becomng more popular.

I don't think that they envisioned the transformations that would occur during the next couple of decades. Fox News, a young upstart trying to make a name among the original "Big 3", would transform itself into a conservative flagship and would successfully feed off of right-wing media mistrust. Additionally, the internet suddenly became 'a thing'. Now, we don't even use the phrase "surfing the web". It is just part of daily life: what you do everyday. And with the internet, you could go anywhere you want and live there. You don't ever have to hear news you don't want to hear.

Rep for a fine history presentation.  I would only add that Fox doesn't just "feed" off right-wing media mistrust. It has intensified and expanded that mistrust to cover millions of voters now. It mainstreams the kind of right-wing extremism that was always marginal back when the big three were our primary news sources. Back when Eisenhower was a Communist and flouridation was a Communist plot.