Final answer:
The rise of cable news TV is often blamed on the advent of 24-hour news cycles and specialized media content that cater to personalized entertainment preferences, resulting in news fatigue, increased political polarization, and reduced presidential reach. Networks like CNN, MSNBC, and FOX News contribute to a biased media landscape, with pundits influencing public opinion.
Step-by-step explanation:
Many attribute the rise of cable news TV to the development of 24-hour news cycles and the specialization of media content. With the introduction of cable in the 1980s, and later the expansion of the Internet in the 2000s, audiences gained unprecedented access to a wide array of programming. This shift allowed viewers to easily bypass traditional news in favor of personalized entertainment, leading to news fatigue and skepticism in politics. The shift also reduced the effectiveness of presidential communications, such as the State of the Union address, as audiences became fragmented. Media saturation and the blending of news with entertainment have both contributed to a more polarized public discourse, with news networks such as CNN, MSNBC, and FOX News often showcasing overt bias.
Notable among these concerns is the increased negativism in media coverage and the growing influence of political pundits who often provide biased or selective interpretations of events to support specific ideologies. This has been exacerbated by the consolidation of local news outlets into large conglomerates, thereby nationalizing political discourse and steering public opinion. Additionally, technological advancements have changed where and how people access news, with a trend towards getting news from social media rather than television programs.