Infotainment: When News Becomes Entertainment

News on cable television is a business. It’s ratings (audience) that fund the operation of a cable network not the civics lesson. Cable television has to create an entertaining environment in order for it to attract and retain its audience; therefore, it creates a unique blend of entertainment and news by using dramatic visual effects, opposing viewpoints from panelists, "breaking news" banners, and emotional commentaries.

The model created by this approach is referred to as "infotainment." Infotainment is a style of journalism where the focus is placed on creating conflict rather than providing complexity.

In addition to focusing on complex issues and policy proposals, journalists often focus on the scandalous behavior of politicians, their "gaffes," and the "winning" candidate. In doing so, voters become less educated about the workings of government and more invested in their local "political teams."

Journalist Thomas Patterson states that today's journalistic standards are designed to promote cynicism. The focus of journalists is no longer on who can benefit the most, but how much will each candidate benefit. As voters view politics as entertainment, rational and democratic discussion becomes increasingly difficult.

References

  • Patterson, T. E. Informing the News. Vintage, 2013.

  • Baym, G. From Cronkite to Colbert. Oxford University Press, 2010.

  • Prior, M. Post-Broadcast Democracy. Cambridge University Press, 2007.


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