Bad News

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Something is wrong with American journalism. Long before “fake news” became a buzzword, Americans had already lost faith in their news media. Recently, this sentiment has intensified, as mainstream news has shifted from being merely liberal to overtly woke. Newsrooms now promote radical ideas that were once considered fringe, such as “antiracism,” intersectionality, open borders, and critical race theory. This transformation is rooted in who writes the news and for whom it is intended. Batya Ungar-Sargon explores how American journalism evolved from a blue-collar trade to an elite profession throughout the twentieth century. This shift led journalists to prioritize the concerns of their affluent, educated peers over the working class. The rise of the Internet and the decline of local news further nationalized elite media, aligning journalists' interests with ideological agendas. Business pressures that once countered journalistic biases have been replaced by digital media incentives that support newsroom crusades. The moral panic surrounding race, fueled by elite newsrooms, primarily serves to consolidate the power of liberal elites and safeguard their economic interests. By neglecting the working class and fostering a culture war around identity, national media threatens to undermine American democracy. This examination reveals how and why this shift occurred and the potential dangers if it remains unaddressed.