What Trump’s win means to news organizations as mainstream media fight for relevance

As someone who has spent the better part of my career in the journalism industry, I must say that the landscape has drastically changed over the years. The rise of digital media and alternative platforms has disrupted the traditional news ecosystem, and it’s not always for the better.

Suppose the number of people watching the Super Bowl decreased by 25%. This is similar to what transpired on Tuesday, as Nielsen reported the television viewership for networks airing coverage of the unprecedented election result where former President Trump defeated Vice President Kamala Harris in the race for the White House.

However, election night merely marked the climax of a political campaign period that underscored the challenges faced by traditional media outlets as they strive to stay significant amidst the rising impact of digital platforms eroding their sway.

I, for one, am finding myself relying more on platforms like TikTok, YouTube, and Elon Musk’s X for my daily updates, bypassing the traditional evening news broadcasts and cable shows. Without a subscription to pay TV, these platforms are meeting my informational needs quite effectively.

Trump often chose unconventional media platforms, giving extensive interviews to comedians like Theo Von and Joe Rogan, who later backed him as a past president. Similarly, Harris utilized podcasts, appearing on shows such as Alex Cooper’s “Call Her Daddy” and “All the Smoke” with ex-NBA players Matt Barnes and Stephen Jackson.

The rise of podcast creators mirrors a trend seen in cable news, where the most popular personalities are opinionated figures whom their followers view as influential leaders within their communities. Despite a general decline in TV viewing numbers, on election night, the highest-rated networks were Fox News, known for its conservative hosts who attract large audiences, and MSNBC, which leans towards progressive views.

A television news representative, speaking off the record, shared that the business has shifted towards being influenced by personalities rather than journalistic practices, as suggested by Joe Rogan.

In the meantime, news outlets struggle to convince readers to pay for online content as their printed counterparts become less relevant. A Gallup survey reveals that public trust in media institutions is at an all-time low.

News channels are currently grappling with the implications of Trump’s potential comeback, as it could significantly impact their reporting. They are engaging in open discussions with their representatives regarding the best strategies for covering a president known for his antagonistic stance towards the press over another four years.

In the upcoming weeks, the public can expect to receive more information as news agencies shuffle their reporters under the newly instated White House administration. Additionally, there’s a potential for certain conservative news personalities to join the Trump administration.

There’s potential for increased ratings and readership in the short term due to another unexpected Trump administration event, as his 2016 win ignited a news firestorm that fueled higher ratings and subscription revenue. However, a similar impact is likely temporary and won’t ensure long-term financial stability for news organizations in an evermore divided media landscape.

Neil Brown, President of the Poynter Institute, stated that ‘the Trump effect’ could potentially open a path. However, maintaining their interest would require finding a sustainable method to cater to them,” is one possible way to paraphrase the original sentence.

Roland Martin, a previous CNN commentator now managing the Black Star Network digitally, thinks that media outlets rely on an accelerated news cycle for their operations.

As a devoted movie buff, I can’t help but admit that there was a sense of anticipation among traditional media figures for the potential return of Trump. The reasoning behind this? Well, it’s simple: every day would have been a new episode, a sensational display of his unpredictability. In essence, it would have been another four-year reality series, showcasing his unique brand of chaos and eccentricity.

Some news leaders, hopefully, anticipate that the new administration will initially prioritize policies over the president-elect’s lively character traits.

Alex Castellanos, head of Purple Strategies and a previous GOP political advisor, believes that he will likely have an extremely full schedule, especially during the initial two years if he gains both the House and Senate.

During his election campaign, Trump pledged drastic transformations, such as large-scale expulsions of undocumented immigrants and granting critical roles in public health to Robert F. Kennedy Jr., who is known for his skepticism towards vaccines and fluoridated water.

In simpler terms, Andrew Heyward, a former CBS News president currently offering advice to media firms, stated that the intense interest in this new trend won’t be as prevalent as before. Instead, it will depend more on its news worthiness, which might result in less coverage and a shorter duration of attention.

Experts believe that Trump’s better-than-expected performance revealed a larger problem.

It’s been pointed out that major news organizations spent a significant amount of time in Washington, primarily focusing on opinion surveys and expert analysis from political figures, rather than paying closer attention to the grassroots sentiment. Excluding conservative media sources, many news outlets might not have given adequate consideration to the growing discontent among working-class individuals over rising living costs during an otherwise prosperous economic recovery.

Major news sources initially failed to recognize the trend of Latino voters leaning towards Trump. Martin explained this oversight by pointing out the scarcity of Latino journalists and executives within these organizations. Furthermore, he emphasized that the media often exaggerated the storyline suggesting a surge of Black voters supporting Trump.

I’ve noticed that often, they rely on common surveys with predominantly white participants, failing to include Black-focused surveyors during broadcasts,” I pointed out. “Black men don’t just gather at barbershops – we’re a diverse group with varied hangouts.

Back in the day, Fox News faced criticism for its intense coverage of the massive migration influx at the U.S.’s southern border. Interestingly, this reporting seems to have paved the way for immigration to become a significant topic in the 2024 presidential race. It wasn’t until migrants were transported to major cities like New York that other media outlets started paying much attention to the story.

For decades, it’s been pointed out that large media corporations may not delve deeply into various communities or a broader spectrum of topics. Resolving this issue becomes challenging since these entities are faced with increasing financial pressures, leading to cost-cutting measures and decreasing income.

Heyward stated, ‘The world is undergoing transformation, and everyone’s aware of that. Regrettably, we’re living in an era with limited resources. This necessitates making tough choices about what we can excel at to fulfill a distinctive function in this increasingly complex environment.’

Beyond heightened competition, media outlets are observing advertisers growing cautious about placing their ads within news broadcasts due to the intense negativity and partisanship prevalent in today’s politically charged environment. Scripps News has acknowledged this sentiment as a contributing factor behind its recent choice to discontinue its 24-hour news service.

2020 Presidential campaigns seized the opportunity presented by the chaos, setting their own terms for debate participation (only one between Trump and Harris) and choosing to be more discerning about their public media engagements.

Joshua Darr, a senior researcher at Syracuse University’s Institute for Democracy, Journalism and Citizenship, pointed out that this election cycle, the candidates were more successful than before in managing their media relationships. They achieved this by either bypassing traditional media or determining when they would grant interviews to them.

There is no penalty for avoiding tough media platforms when there are so many options to reach pockets of voters on alternative outlets, Heyward said. Rogan’s interview with Trump received nearly 40 million views in its first three days on YouTube.

Heyward stated, “For 50 years, ’60 Minutes’ has been TV news’ top-rated program, yet Trump didn’t hesitate not only to decline it but also take legal action against it.” Trump had initiated a $10-billion lawsuit against the network, alleging improper editing of an interview answer featuring Kamala Harris on their CBS News magazine show. Trump had initially agreed to the interview but later reneged on his commitment.

Despite a drop in loyalty and public connection to established media outlets, experts believe these long-standing brands still hold significant influence. Harris made an appearance on “The View,” was interviewed by CNN’s Dana Bash, faced questioning from Fox News’ Bret Baier, and engaged with local media in key states. Her traditional network appearances garnered millions of views.

In my perspective, established media outlets remain indispensable, and this particular outcome doesn’t challenge that in any way. I firmly trust that these traditional media sources possess the credibility and deep-rooted connections within their communities, offering an essential service.

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2024-11-09 00:31