What is Media Consumption and Polarization
Media consumption and polarization is a current phenomenon that is impacting the way in which people view the world around them – not only politically, but socially, culturally, and economically. It refers to the impact that media sources and content has on how people identify and see themselves or others, as well as how they make decisions and form opinions. This issue has become more of a pressing matter and relevant in recent years due to the vast amount of available media sources and content, and the often biased or one-sided messaging delivered in them, leading to the growth of what has been termed ‘echo chambers’.
Media Consumption and Its Impact on Polarization
Media consumption can have a powerful effect on how people perceive the world, as well as aiding in the polarizing effect that divides the nation into two camps — liberals and conservatives. With the overwhelming amount of news, opinions, and shared content available, it is easy to become engrossed in media that feeds into a particular point of view, validating it in the process, creating what has come to be known as an ‘echo chamber’. For example, if an individual consumes a plethora of media sources that lean heavily to the left, over time their mindset will become increasingly more liberal to new ideas and perceptions. The same is true with those who dabble in conservative media outlets. As a result, the current media climate creates two distinct camps that are often unaware or oblivious to the wedge that is slowly widening between them.
The Effects of Belonging to a Media Echo Chamber
Being a part of an ‘echo chamber’, whether liberal or conservative, can have a great impact on how an individual sees the world. In essence, a media echo chamber creates a kind of tunnel-vision, fostering a more narrow-minded view and opinion of current events. It can also lead to an increased sense of being right, as most of the content an individual will come in contact with reinforces the idea of one side being right while the other being wrong. This ultimately leads to an ‘us-versus-them’ mentality and an exclusive mindset that doesn’t often lend itself to productive conversations between differing sides and points of view.
How Social Media Plays a Role in Media Polarization
Social media has become one of the most dominant forms of media and communication in recent years. In the U.S., the majority of adults are now consuming content on platforms such as Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram. These platforms provide convenient ways for people to stay in touch with family and friends, as well as receive and engage with news, facts, and information from various sources.
However, social media can also be used in a way that can further contribute to media polarization. This is especially true for partisan sources, as those that follow certain sources on social media are exposed to a steady stream of content that often reinforces the sentiments of their own political beliefs. As a result, people may become more resistant to alternative ways of thinking, further contributing to the ‘us-versus-them’ mentality.
The Impact of Cable News and Online News Aggregators
Cable news is also considered a major culprit when it comes to media polarization. This medium is often dominated by networks that favor a particular ideological viewpoint. For example, Fox News is a conservative leaning channel, while MSNBC leans more to the left. This provides a narrative that reinforces the beliefs of a particular side, further contributing to the media polarization problem.
Furthermore, there is the issue of online news aggregators. While these sites are useful for discovering news from a variety of sources, the algorithm that drives these sites can often force a particular feed that reflects their own particular viewpoint. Even though the user may not be aware of it, the outcome can still contribute to the growth of an ‘echo chamber’.
Media consumption and polarization is an issue that is becoming increasingly more prevalent in modern society. With the abundance of media sources and platforms, it is easy for individuals to become entrenched in an ‘echo chamber’, making them more resistant to alternative viewpoints. Social media, cable news, and online news aggregators all contribute to this problem, as they often favor a particular perspective and put people in a proverbial box that they may not be able to escape. As a result, it is becoming more difficult for opposing sides to have productive conversations and debates, leading to an environment that is not conducive to positive dialogue and meaningful change.
