When Sensationalism Replaces Substance: Is Media Failing Politics?

9-minute read time

In today’s fast-paced and information-saturated world, the media has a profound influence on how people understand politics and make decisions that shape society. Ideally, media outlets serve as trusted sources of information, bridging the gap between complex political matters and the public’s need for clarity. By breaking down policy debates, spotlighting issues, and holding politicians accountable, the media has the power to empower citizens with knowledge. Yet, as we examine today’s media landscape—particularly in light of events like the 2024 election—a crucial question arises: Has the media lost its ability to educate the public on politics effectively, influentially, and impartially? The answer to this question holds significant implications for democracy itself, as media bias, sensationalism, and the prioritization of controversy risk clouding the public’s understanding of essential issues. This exploration delves into the roles and responsibilities of politics and the media, the history of their relationship, and how, in many ways, this relationship may have shifted, leaving the public less informed and less empowered than before.

Understanding Politics and the Media: What Are Their Roles?

Politics can be defined as “the activities associated with the governance of a country or other area, especially the debate or conflict among individuals or parties having or hoping to achieve power.” It encompasses everything from the creation and implementation of laws to the resolution of issues affecting citizens’ lives. Politics is ultimately about the decisions made by those in power and how those decisions shape society at all levels. Its role extends far beyond what we see during election cycles; it is an ongoing process that influences education, healthcare, infrastructure, justice, and more. Political leaders are expected to represent the interests of their constituents and to promote the well-being of the society they govern. Whether or not they succeed often depends on the public’s understanding of their policies, promises, and failures—a responsibility that politics cannot bear alone. This is where the media enters the picture as a crucial partner and interpreter.

The media, broadly defined as the main means of mass communication, including broadcasting, publishing, and the internet, regarded collectively, wields enormous influence. It serves as the primary vehicle through which the public learns about political events, governmental actions, and societal trends. Media takes many forms—each reaching different audiences in unique ways. Print media, such as newspapers, magazines, and books, offers in-depth, long-form journalism and analysis that can help readers think critically about complex issues. Broadcast media, through television and radio, provides immediate, accessible coverage of events and often brings important stories directly to millions of homes. Meanwhile, internet media has emerged as a transformative force, with social media, online publications, podcasts, and YouTube channels enabling instant, interactive engagement on a massive scale. Together, these forms of media shape public opinion and deepen public understanding by translating complicated topics into more digestible narratives. This is especially essential for an engaged and informed electorate.

The roles of politics and media are distinct but interconnected. Politics is responsible for governing, upholding laws, and guiding society toward collective goals. It affects all aspects of life, from economic policies and environmental protections to social welfare and healthcare systems. But without the media, these impacts often go unnoticed or misunderstood by the public. The media’s role, therefore, is to make these political activities transparent and understandable to everyday people. It serves as the bridge between government actions and public awareness, empowering citizens with information that enables them to make thoughtful, informed choices.

The media ideally functions as an unbiased messenger, tasked with the responsibility to educate. In this role, it not only informs but interprets, breaking down complex political jargon, evaluating policy implications, and offering diverse perspectives. In a democratic society, the media also has a critical duty to hold political power accountable. Acting as a watchdog, the media is expected to shine a light on issues like corruption, misconduct, and misrepresentation in government, thereby protecting the democratic process and empowering the public to make informed decisions. This mutual relationship between politics and media should, in theory, help create a more aware and engaged public; however, when the media strays from its core responsibilities, it can actually hinder public understanding and participation.

How Have Politics and Media Worked Together to Create Societal Change?

Historically, politics and media have shared a symbiotic relationship that can bring about significant societal changes. When working effectively together, they serve as a powerful catalyst for public awareness and reform. Political decisions and policies influence the everyday lives of people, but without the media to dissect, question, and communicate these actions, the public may remain unaware or misinformed. By providing coverage on important topics like civil rights, healthcare reform, environmental protections, and economic policies, the media enables the public to understand, evaluate, and react to these political changes.

In many cases, the media also takes on a more adversarial role, acting as a check on political power. Through investigative journalism, critical reporting, and persistent questioning, the media can expose government corruption, ethical breaches, and other actions that threaten democratic ideals. By shedding light on these issues, the media not only informs the public but also pressures political leaders to act in the public’s interest. This watchdog role is crucial for maintaining transparency and accountability, and it creates a balance of power that is essential in democratic societies.

However, this balance can be disrupted when the media prioritizes sensationalism over substance. In the pursuit of ratings, clicks, and attention, the media sometimes focuses on controversy and scandal at the expense of deeper, more meaningful coverage. This can lead to a narrow view of political events, reducing complex issues to sound bites and polarizing the public. When this happens, the media fails in its duty to educate and can even undermine societal progress by distracting from the issues that truly matter.

The 2024 Election: A Reflection the Media’s Influence

The 2024 election provides a striking example of the media’s influence on public perception and political understanding. During this election cycle, the media—especially broadcast media—often appeared more interested in drawing attention to inflammatory comments and sensational headlines than in breaking down policies and presenting comprehensive information. Rather than focusing on substantial discussions about the candidates’ platforms, the media frequently highlighted controversies and divisive rhetoric. While it is important to hold politicians accountable for harmful or discriminatory language, an overemphasis on such controversies can detract from the deeper issues at stake.

Over the past few years, the media has dedicated extensive airtime to dissecting Trump’s controversial comments, many of which include racist, sexist, and xenophobic remarks. While correcting false claims and calling out inflammatory language is essential, spending the majority of airtime on these matters limits the media’s capacity to cover other critical issues, such as healthcare, climate change, and economic inequality. By narrowing the scope of coverage, the media does a disservice to viewers, restricting their ability to think critically and develop an informed perspective on a wide range of issues that influence their lives.

As a result, voters were left with fragmented information that sometimes lacked context or depth. Many people may have chosen candidates based on limited exposure to their policies, and for some, biases rooted in societal or systemic issues such as racism and sexism may have played a larger role in their decision-making. This outcome reveals the consequences of a media landscape that prioritizes sensationalism over thoughtful, well-rounded coverage. Among those who support figures like Donald Trump, for example, there are diverse motivations, ranging from support for his “economic policies” to more concerning biases. When the media fails to provide a balanced portrayal of each candidate’s stance, it contributes to a climate where voters are not as informed as they could be, potentially leading to choices made out of partial information or personal biases rather than a comprehensive understanding of the candidates’ positions.

Whose Responsibility Is It to Educate: Ours or the Media’s?

Ultimately, it is each individual’s responsibility to seek out information and educate themselves on political matters. In a democracy, citizens have a duty to remain informed, to question, and to consider multiple perspectives in order to make thoughtful choices. However, the media plays an essential role in making this process accessible. As the primary source of information for many people, the media has a responsibility to present accurate, balanced, and thorough coverage. Broadcast media, in particular, is uniquely positioned to reach large audiences and provide context, which can empower individuals to understand the complexities of political issues without needing to navigate through multiple sources on their own.

If the media fails to prioritize thoughtful and comprehensive reporting, it risks leaving its audience without the full picture, thereby diminishing the quality of democratic participation. When sensationalism dominates coverage, it leaves little room for substantive discourse or genuine public understanding. If the media does not fulfill its duty to educate, how can the public be expected to make truly informed choices that align with their best interests and values?

A Call for Media Reform and Responsibility

The modern media landscape has a profound impact on public opinion and democratic engagement. The media’s reach and influence mean that it has the power not only to inform but to inspire and shape societal views. However, it also has the power to mislead and distract. As citizens, we must demand a higher standard of reporting from our media institutions. We should call for factual, balanced, and thoughtful journalism that educates rather than divides, that informs rather than sensationalizes. Only by holding the media accountable to these standards can we foster a more educated, thoughtful, and engaged society that is prepared to participate in the democratic process with clarity and conviction.