The Media and Partisanship: A Persistent Feature of American Journalism

In recent years, the role of media in shaping public opinion has come under intense scrutiny, particularly in relation to former President Donald Trump. The question often arises: does the media provide honest coverage or do they cross the line into sensationalism and misinformation?

Current Media Landscape

The argument that the media is dishonest and selectively reports on events to serve their political agendas is not a new one. While it is tempting to believe that this is an unprecedented phenomenon, history reveals that partisanship in the media has been a persistent feature of American journalism dating back to the early days of the nation.

Partisanship in Early American Journalism

According to Jill Lepore's book These Truths: A History of the United States, the seeds of partisan journalism were sown as early as the 1790s. The two main parties at that time, the Federalists and the Democratic-Republicans, each had their own newspapers, with the Federalists aligning with Alexander Hamilton and the Democratic-Republicans with Thomas Jefferson.

Lepore states on page 145 that in the 1790s, newspapers grew at a rate four times faster than the population. These newspapers were not just observers; they played an active role in shaping the political climate. Partisan newspapers were committed to staging a battle of opinions rather than reporting purely factual information.

A Federalist printer famously declared, "Professions of impartiality I shall make none. They are always useless and are besides perfect nonsense." Another printer boasted, "Of turns of fortune changes in state / The fall of fav’rites projects of the great / Of old mismanagements taxation’s new / All neither wholly false nor wholly true."

The Role of Newspapers in Shaping Public Opinion

Jefferson himself acknowledged the power of newspapers, remarking that they were the engine driving political parties. As time passed, this role continued to evolve, with modern media outlets continuing to provide a platform for partisan narratives and opinions.

Today, the partisan reporting on former President Trump and his administration by both left-leaning and right-leaning media outlets is often criticized as misleading and biased. These outlets are accused of staging a battle of opinions rather than striving for impartiality and fact-based reporting.

Impartiality and the Media's Role

Media organizations often claim to be fact-based, fair, and balanced. However, in reality, the divide between left-leaning and right-leaning media outlets is clear. They focus on narratives and opinions that align with their ideological inclinations. This is particularly evident during election seasons, where the media actively engages in shaping public opinion to favor one political party.

The media's role is not merely to report news but to influence public sentiment. This is especially evident in the run-up to the 2020 presidential election, where media outlets were seen as playing a significant role in attempting to make Trump a one-term president.

Conclusion

From the 1790s to today, the role of partisanship in American journalism has remained a consistent and persistent feature. While the media claims to provide honest and impartial coverage, the reality is that they often engage in staging a battle of opinions that align with their political leanings. Understanding this context is crucial for anyone seeking to navigate and interpret the media landscape in America.