By  Brock Cravy

 

 

The 2020 U.S. presidential election witnessed a profound influence of the media landscape, encompassing traditional outlets and the burgeoning realm of social media. This essay delves into the multifaceted role played by the media, spanning from declining trust in traditional news sources to the impact of social media algorithms, legal challenges faced by major media outlets, and the dynamics of election night coverage across cable networks.

 

Americans' trust in traditional media has reached near-record lows, as highlighted by Gallup's polling data (Jones, 2021). Only 34% of Americans express confidence in the mass media's ability to report news "fully, accurately, and fairly." This erosion of trust is exacerbated by a widening partisan gap, with Democrats exhibiting higher levels of trust compared to Republicans or independents (Jones, 2021). The persistent decline in media trust underscores a broader skepticism towards mainstream news outlets, with TV news and newspapers receiving historically low confidence ratings (Jones, 2021).

 

In contrast, social media platforms wielded significant influence during the 2020 election cycle, as evidenced by Andrew Guess's research conducted in collaboration with Meta, the parent company of Facebook and Instagram (Prinston School of Public and International Affairs). Guess's study shed light on the impact of social media algorithms on user behavior and content consumption, revealing shifts in user engagement and the types of content encountered. Despite concerns about misinformation, reshared content on social media platforms contributed to users' overall knowledge, challenging conventional narratives about the detrimental effects of social media on political discourse (Prinston School of Public and International Affairs).

 

Moreover, the Pew Research Center's report on media polarization underscores deep partisan divisions in Americans' trust and reliance on news sources (Jurkowitz et al., 2020). Republicans tend to view mainstream sources as untrustworthy, while Democrats see the same sources as credible. This polarization reflects a deeply divided media landscape, with conservative Republicans exhibiting higher trust in right-leaning sources like Fox News, while liberal Democrats lean towards left-leaning outlets such as CNN (Jurkowitz et al., 2020).

 

The legal challenges faced by major media outlets, exemplified by Fox News' settlement with Dominion Voting Systems, further illuminate the complexities of media coverage during the election (Fox settles Dominion lawsuit for $787.5 million over US election lies, 2023). The historic settlement underscored the challenges of balancing newsworthiness with the responsibility to verify the accuracy of claims made by public figures. The outcome of such lawsuits could have far-reaching implications for media freedom and accountability, highlighting the delicate balance between First Amendment rights and journalistic integrity (Fox settles Dominion lawsuit for $787.5 million over US election lies, 2023).

 

Lastly, election night coverage across major cable networks offered a window into the complexities of the democratic process (How the Major Cable Networks Covered Election Night). The coverage, marked by anticipation and bold projections, reflected the unprecedented nature of the election and the challenges posed by the prolonged vote count. Despite tensions and uncertainty surrounding the outcome, cable news networks navigated through the twists and turns of a closely contested race, urging viewers to remain patient and emphasizing the importance of waiting for the vote count to be complete (How the Major Cable Networks Covered Election Night).

 

In conclusion, the 2020 presidential election underscored the pivotal role of the media in shaping public discourse, influencing voter perceptions, and navigating the complexities of a deeply polarized political landscape. From declining trust in traditional news sources to the impact of social media algorithms and legal challenges faced by major media outlets, the election revealed the multifaceted influence of the media on the democratic process. Moving forward, media outlets must continue to uphold journalistic standards while navigating the challenges of a rapidly evolving media landscape. By fostering transparency, accountability, and ethical reporting practices, the media can contribute to a more informed and engaged citizenry in future elections.