Final answer:
Partisan media outlets contribute to the polarization of the American public by providing biased reporting that confirms viewers’ pre-existing beliefs. The media acts as a gatekeeper of information, influencing public discourse and policy issues, which may result in an unequal balance of power between the political arena and the public. Technological advances have enabled individuals to curate their media consumption, leading to homogenized opinions and a more divided political landscape.
Step-by-step explanation:
The question whether there is overwhelming evidence that partisan media are making ordinary Americans more partisan addresses the influence of media on political polarization. It suggests an examination into how the media, especially with the advent of cable news and online news platforms, may contribute to an increasingly divided political landscape in the United States. Regarding the balance of power between the political realm and the public in terms of media influence on public policy, it's a complex dynamic where the media acts as a gatekeeper, impacting what issues become prominent in the public discourse.
Partisan media outlets such as FOX News and MSNBC have been shown to create echo chambers that reinforce viewers’ existing beliefs. During the 2012 campaign, negative coverage was overwhelmingly prevalent with cable news stations demonstrating clear biases in their framing of stories. For example, MSNBC aired a significant majority of negative stories about Mitt Romney, while FOX News did the same regarding Barack Obama. This type of selective reporting helps to shape viewers’ perceptions and potentially exacerbates political polarization.
Moreover, the media landscape has seen significant changes with the rise of technology, where individuals can now curate their news and avoid exposure to contrasting viewpoints. This has led to a homogenization of opinions among those who are exposed solely to news that confirms their pre-existing political biases, further contributing to increased polarization. Lastly, national narratives on issues like the COVID-19 pandemic varied significantly across different news outlets, demonstrating the continuing influence of partisan media on public opinion.