Disclaimer: This blog is based on close to three months of research, at which point there isn't a substantial amount of time to analyze all media outlets affiliated with each political party. In this section, I will analyze democratic and conservative television personalities and their views on the media or media literacy. In order to accurately cover the topic and include current events, this blog will revolve around President Donald Trump and "fake news." The personalities include Steven Colbert and Jon Stewart as Democratic-leaning opinions, and Ari Fleischer, Sean Hannity, and, Laura Ingraham as conservative-leaning.

 

Democratic Left

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Late Show with Steven Colbert is a television program that runs weeknights at 11:35 PM EST on CBS. Colbert previously was the host of The Colbert Report but took over for David Letterman on The Late Show. In a 2017 YouTube clip from an episode featuring comedian Jon Stewart, they discuss the media's obsession with President Donald Trump after the election. It's titled "Jon Stewart To The Media: It's Time To Get Your Groove Back."

 

Stewart appears from under Colbert's desk to bring an important message to news outlets: stop obsessing over this one person. The high level of media attention Trump received before, during, and after the election probably contributed to him winning the presidency. Stewart advises the media to "kick [Trump] to the curb" and compares the situation to a relationship break up.

 

"Hey media," he says. "I heard Donald Trump broke up with you. Stings a little doesn't it. You finally thought you'd met your perfect match. A blabbermouth who's as thin-skinned and narcissistic as you are. Now it's over. Well, good riddance."

 

As a comedian, Stewart puts a spin on critiquing the media, although he was considered a form of news outlet when he hosted The Daily Show. He provides a close-to-unbiased opinion about how the media should react in their battle with President Trump.

 

Let's be real, the media screws up. It's screwed up big time in the past. But that doesn't mean it can't improve. Stewart says this "break up" has provided the media with an amazing opportunity for self-reflection and growth.

 

Basically, this is where the "Fake News" has to be resolved. The media must take a step back and reevaluate. Or we will run into bigger, more pressing issue as political parties become increasingly polarized.

 

 

Conservative Right

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Not long after the 2016 election, Fox News' weeknight show Hannity discussed its opinion on the "fake news" media and how the Left is to blame. Talk show host Sean Hannity says the media is incapable of covering President Trump fairly. 

 

“Liberal mainstream journalists are not interested in the facts, only their radical left-wing agenda," he says.

 

Hannity explains the media's specific agenda is to damage the President's reputation and Trump has the power to change or limit the amount of press coverage he receives. Ari Fleischer, the former White House Press Secretary under George W. Bush, joins the discussion and reports only 5% of American people have trust in the media, according to a Pew Research Center poll.

 

Fleischer recommends that more foreign reporters, business writers, and liberal and conservative dot-coms should be allowed in the press room, as opposed to the normal broadcasting stations that tend to have a bias. He brings up an interesting point about the media congratulating Barack Obama on his historic win for his race in 2008, and how the media would have done the same for Hillary Clinton as a woman. But there wasn't any recognition for Donald Trump as an outsider?

 

If we really pride ourselves as a fair and just country, shouldn't we give everyone the same media coverage? Fleischer claims this is a result of the lack of conservatives in news outlets.

 

Laura Ingraham also chimes into the conversation as editor-in-chief of Lifezette, a conservative news medium. She adds that when it comes to reporting, there are networks so far "in the tank of political correctness." She recently had representatives from CNN emailing her about her work at the Dartmouth College newspaper 30 plus years ago. Outraged, Ingraham brings up the liberal media's concern for this topic, but lack of interest in issues like ISIS and immigration. She agrees with Fleischer and says Donald Trump sets the press rules.

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"There are good reporters at CNN, but their games are transparent," Ingraham says.​

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Although they come at the topic from two sides of the spectrum, conservatives and liberals have the same conclusion: we must stop focusing on the President's every move and correct the "fake news" problem.

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It's also important to note that not one soul television personality, political figure or expert is correct. In order for you to gain a comprehensive overview and form your own opinion, you should read/watch a variety of news outlets.

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Seem difficult? Pick three or four from across the board and read/watch a different one every day. Stay informed!