BROADCAST NEWS AT 100: The Erosion of Trust
- Author
- Steve Dunlop interviews Judith Bishop
- Published
- Thu 08 Oct 2020
- Episode Link
- https://www.dunlopmedia.com/podcast/2020/10/7/broadcast-news-at-100-the-slow-decline-of-trust
Trust in the news media has declined by more than half over the last 50 years, according to Gallup. Composite image. Vintage TV photo by Sukhveer Hans/Unsplash.
In this special podcast marking the 100th anniversary of broadcast news, Steve Dunlop explores the long decline in media trust with veteran producer Judith Bishop, author of Changing Channels: From Just The Facts To Outrageous Opinions. Together they trace developments in the history of the medium, with a particular focus on the last half century - and what, if anything, can be done to restore trust.
Some highlights on the timeline:
6:45 The pre-cable “Super Stations”
12:30 Early attacks on the press by Vice President Agnew
15:40 Historical antagonism between presidents and the press
18:30 The role of the urban/rural, blue state/red state divide
23:30 The start of the “happy news” era and the chase for ratings
28:00 The birth of CNN and the subsequent proliferation of news outlets
35:00 Elimination of the FCC’s Fairness Doctrine
38:00 The political affiliations of journalists
39:30 The rise of Fox, re-enactments, and checkbook journalism
47:10 Donald Trump and the news media
55:50 Combatting “fake news”
Scott Pelley sound clip courtesy CNN’s Reliable Sources. Historical audio clips and sounders covered by fair use. All other elements ©2020 Dunlop Media Inc. All rights reserved.
