Why the Media Wants You to Believe Everything is Great
It’s become a favorite pastime of the Biden era to read each day about how poorly voters say they’re doing and simultaneously how great the news media say everything actually is.
Media: Biden is on a roll! Full employment! Inflation cooling! NATO has rallied!
Normal person: I have no money…
Media: Sure ya do! Wages are up! Record spending! Hot diggity dog!
Normal person: I’d like to buy my first home, but interest rates are too high, and I’d like to trade in my car, but even used ones are too expensive…
Media: Nonsense, my boy! Gas prices are down! And have you seen what the president’s done with NATO?!
Normal person: Maybe a hardship withdrawal from my 401K will hold me over…
Media: Now that’s the spirit!
Every poll and survey shows that shoppers are spending more and getting less. Retirement withdrawals are up. Credit card delinquency is rising.
The media will then ask in earnest, “But why aren’t people happier?” and make up some ridiculous theory like that it must be TikTok’s fault.
Seriously. The New York Times, Washington Post, and New Republic each ran articles in recent days positing that what people are seeing on TikTok might actually be a reason why so many say the economy sucks, that they don’t understand why their savings are dwindling, and that that the price of food — even crap food at McDonald’s — is frightening.
And when they’re not proposing the absurd, the media simply blame the public for not getting it.
Charles Blow of the Times never fails to deliver the parody version of what his smarter peers are saying, and this issue was no different. “[T]here are those who just don’t feel the positive impacts of the Biden presidency, whether it’s on the economy or on foreign policy,” he wrote this week. “This isn’t because the administration hasn’t had successes, but because individual citizens sometimes don’t recognize the source of those successes or experience them in ways that they can immediately feel.”
Folks! Biden’s successes are there, folks! You just don’t recognize them, folks! You just aren’t experiencing them in ways you can immediately feel, folks!
Don’t you see? It’s not Biden’s fault. It’s yours for not understanding how good everything is.
The choice for president next year is all but certain to be between reelecting everything we currently have or attempting to go back to what we had. To the extent that you can believe polls on the matter, it looks like most people are ready to choose the latter, which, according to the media, is a threat to democracy!
What do you mean you want cheap food and fuel? Don’t you care about democracy?
“[T]he threat Trump poses hasn’t diminished,” Blow continued. “It has increased. He’s more open about his plans to alter the country and our form of government if he is returned to the White House. And yet, some Americans simply aren’t registering that threat as having the potential to harm in the way that it obviously can.”
Aren’t you scared? You should be!
It’s quite the sales pitch: Be poor. Save democracy. Biden 2024.
How does the pursuit of higher ratings and profitability impact the media’s emphasis on the positive aspects of the economy
So, why does the media want you to believe that everything is great?
One reason could be that the media has a vested interest in maintaining a positive image of the current administration. In the case of the Biden era, media outlets may want to portray the administration in a positive light to maintain access to information, interviews, and press conferences. By presenting a rosy picture of the economy and other aspects of the administration’s performance, the media can align themselves with those in power and potentially gain favor.
Another reason is that the media relies on advertising revenue, which often comes from corporations and businesses. Positive economic news can be appealing to advertisers as it creates a positive environment for consumer spending. Therefore, the media may have an incentive to focus on the positive aspects of the economy to attract ad dollars and keep their financial interests intact.
Furthermore, sensationalism and clickbait have become prevalent in today’s media landscape. Positive news tends to generate more clicks and engagement than negative news. By emphasizing the positive aspects of the economy, the media can attract more readers and viewers, leading to higher advertising revenues and increased profitability. This approach may prioritize ratings and profitability over providing an accurate and balanced portrayal of the state of the country.
However, this narrative presented by the media often contradicts the experiences of ordinary people. While headlines declare economic success, many individuals struggle with financial insecurity, rising costs, and stagnant wages. The discrepancy between media reports and personal realities can lead to frustration and a disconnect between the public and the media.
It is essential for consumers of media to be critical and discerning in their interpretation of news. By seeking alternative sources of information, fact-checking claims, and considering multiple viewpoints, individuals can gain a more comprehensive understanding of the state of the nation. Being aware of the media’s potential biases, motivations, and financial interests can help individuals make informed judgments and decisions.
In conclusion, the media’s desire to portray everything as great can be attributed to a variety of factors, including the need to maintain access to those in power, attract advertising revenue, and generate engagement. However, this approach may neglect the realities and experiences of ordinary people. As consumers of media, it is crucial to be critical and seek a balanced understanding of the state of the nation.
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