The 24-hour news cycle is ruining politics
The relentless 24-hour news cycle and social media landscape have fundamentally altered political discourse by prioritizing quick, performative reactions over thoughtful deliberation, says Emma Revell
Of course, rolling news isn’t going anywhere. Unless politicians lose all semblance of control of their worst nannying instincts, neither is social media. And before we blame the hacks crowded on the Downing Street pavement, it’s worth remembering they’re only there because we’re watching. The doorstep circus runs on our attention. If we actually wanted politicians to think before they spoke, we might need to give them a moment in which to do it.
The relentless 24-hour news cycle and social media landscape have fundamentally altered political discourse by prioritizing quick, performative reactions over thoughtful deliberation, says Emma Revell
Of course, rolling news isn’t going anywhere. Unless politicians lose all semblance of control of their worst nannying instincts, neither is social media. And before we blame the hacks crowded on the Downing Street pavement, it’s worth remembering they’re only there because we’re watching. The doorstep circus runs on our attention. If we actually wanted politicians to think before they spoke, we might need to give them a moment in which to do it.
Some of us aren't watching though. Maybe public interest in 'the news' is dwindling and this also explains the 24-hour news cycle.
Maybe it's big media engaged in frantic competition with social media and the smaller guys. The BBC is certainly becoming frantic in its attempts to avoid relying on a voluntary subscription model.
1 comment:
I have watched The News once this year because my wife insisted. I left after a couple of minutes - she said she was sorry but she couldn't understand how they'd put on such a dismal performance on a day full of interesting stories.
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