If Donald J. Trump’s landslide win proved one thing, it’s that public trust in the media has completely collapsed but not to worry, CNN’s Brian Stelter knows how to restore it.
No media outlet was shilling harder for Kamala Harris than the self-proclaimed “most trusted name in news” with its deep bench of Democrat activists cosplaying as journalists and her loss must have left many on the staff with long-lasting emotional scars.
But Stelter is doing his best to put a sunny spin on things with his advice on what needs to be done to lure viewers back in a time of plummeting ratings in a lengthy thread posted to X that reads like a dispatch from Clown World.
Podcasts, YouTube videos and other digital sources are ascendant while traditional news outlets are struggling to remain relevant. On social media, in-depth investigations get ignored while misleading memes get shared millions of times. Frankly, some journalists feel defeated.
— Brian Stelter (@brianstelter) November 16, 2024
“Podcasts, YouTube videos, and other digital sources are ascendant while traditional news outlets are struggling to remain relevant. On social media, in-depth investigations get ignored while misleading memes get shared millions of times. Frankly, some journalists feel defeated,” Stelter wrote, seeming to suggest that Americans should feel a sense of pity for the professional liars who have been gaslighting them about Trump and everything else for years.
Stelter went on with a series of posts from viewers of his show “Reliable Sources,” which is not exactly the troubled cable network’s top attraction.
Listen to young people, learn from their media habits, and create content accordingly. How about new streams for center-right audiences and people who instinctively distrust politicians? Other streams could provide “civic on-ramps” and relatable stories for first-time voters. pic.twitter.com/CRDZeV929K
— Brian Stelter (@brianstelter) November 16, 2024
Here are a few more examples of Dr. Stelter’s prescription for all that ails the legacy media.
Pop media bubbles through voter interviews and focus groups – and make sure those sessions inform editorial decisions and panel discussions. pic.twitter.com/RRF87A01eo
— Brian Stelter (@brianstelter) November 16, 2024
Start stories at the beginning, not in the middle. Instead of “Trump vows to impose tariffs,” begin with “what’s a tariff?” As @TimJGraham put it, “if the media think voters are uneducated, teach them. How many members of Congress? How many Supreme Court Justices?”
— Brian Stelter (@brianstelter) November 16, 2024
Build trust beyond politics. As long as Trump keeps repeating lies and stoking controversies, the press will be seen as a hostile force by many Trump voters. But folks who don’t believe (or even bother to read) those stories might still read coverage of, say, sports or business.
— Brian Stelter (@brianstelter) November 16, 2024
It was a lot of material but not convincing to X users who showered the human potato with the ridicule and mockery that he – and the rest of the media – richly deserves.
You’re a lispy propagandist, that’s why nobody listens to you other than to make fun of your fat ass.
— Salty Cracker (@SaltyCracker9) November 16, 2024
Your continued employment proves the media has learned nothing. https://t.co/5q6yTWGAjO
— John Ekdahl (@JohnEkdahl) November 16, 2024
This is a thread about how the press has learned nothing.
People don’t trust you not because “Trump lies” but because *you* lie, sometimes outright, but mostly by omission.
Until you fix that, which is driven by rank partisanship, legacy media will continue to die. https://t.co/tNiTpRuDcv
— Bonchie (@bonchieredstate) November 16, 2024
All those words and NOTHING about the lying.
Lying about Steele and Russia Hoax, spying on Trump campaign, fine people hoax, Hunter laptop etc
Everyone who believed those and has come to see they were duped is embarrassed and none of those changes will get them back.
Is your…— QCMom (@tifmcclure) November 16, 2024
That trust is not coming back. The last bridge was burnt this time. You can’t manipulate the narrative then just act like nothing happened. Haven’t heard SHIT about Trump’s age and cognitive ability.
— Danny (@danzu72) November 16, 2024
15 tweet thread when all he had to say was “just report the actual facts and news”. https://t.co/Q96wZclFSU
— Kristi (@TheyCallMeNans) November 16, 2024
Here’s what needs to change:
Every license needs to be pulled from these government propaganda channels
— Jim Mammina (@jmammina) November 16, 2024
There’s a big reason why Americans hate the media, and Stelter is a walking, talking example.
Stelter goes full potato — Trump posting pictures of violent gang members is fascist, white supremacist, racist and n*zi.
Propaganda grades:
‘A’ for efficiency. All buzzwords hit in 30 seconds.
‘F’ for originality. We’ve heard all of this for 9 years. pic.twitter.com/j32jS3ftES
— Western Lensman (@WesternLensman) October 12, 2024
So how are things going at CNN?
According to reports, a lot of CNN employees will be getting pink slips in their Christmas stockings, including top talent, although it’s probably too much to hope for that Stelter will be among those getting the ax.
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