Did that title make it sound like I'm angry? It turns out that human nature makes us pay attention whenever we—or someone else—are angry. In fact, our first tendency is to side with the angry person against whatever caused the anger. In the end, Anger Sells and the News Media Fails to Inform Worthwhile Political Discourse.
From its origins as a pillar of democratic society, the free press has been entrusted with the vital role of keeping citizens informed about their government and public affairs. Yet today, news outlets aren’t enlightening us. Instead, they’re compelling us to join them in the anger. As competition for eyeballs grows fiercer, the pressure to deliver emotionally charged stories has eroded journalism’s ability to foster thoughtful political understanding.