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cover of episode Toxic Election Lies Spread, Jeff Bezos Sows Chaos at The Post and How The Media Created Election Night

Toxic Election Lies Spread, Jeff Bezos Sows Chaos at The Post and How The Media Created Election Night

2024/11/2
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On the Media

Key Insights

Why are journalists struggling to keep up with election disinformation?

They face a deluge of old and new lies on alternative platforms like Telegram and Rumble, making it harder to track origins and spread.

Why did The Washington Post stop endorsing presidential candidates?

Jeff Bezos cited a perception of bias and a desire to increase credibility, despite public opinion suggesting media bias.

Why are some Muslim voters in Michigan planning to vote uncommitted?

They object to U.S. policy on sending arms to Israel, viewing it as supporting genocide.

How did early media coverage of elections evolve?

Newspapers used innovations like the Magic Lantern and steamship whistles to announce results and entertain crowds.

Why did the 1952 election night become significant?

It marked the dawn of computer forecasting in election coverage, with CBS and NBC using UNIVAC and MonRobot computers.

What challenges did early computer forecasts face on election night?

Technical issues like solder falling onto magnetic drums and human skepticism about early, accurate predictions.

Why does election night coverage often feel anxious today?

Trust in media has eroded, and the peaceful transfer of power is no longer taken for granted.

Chapters

The episode opens with a discussion on the pervasive spread of election lies and the challenges journalists face in countering disinformation.
  • Election lies are deeply affecting the body politic.
  • Journalists struggle to keep up with disinformation both online and offline.

Shownotes Transcript

As the election approaches, conspiracy theories have flooded social media. On this week’s On the Media, hear why journalists are struggling to keep up with disinformation, on and offline. Plus, what does The Washington Post’s non-endorsement really mean? And, a look at the media coverage of the Uncommitted movement.

[01:00] Host Micah Loewinger speaks with Brandy Zadrozny), senior reporter at NBC, about the growing swirl of disinformation around the election—and the toll it’s taking. 

[14:26] Host Brooke Gladstone takes a close look at the implications of The Washington Post’s decision to skip a presidential endorsement, and what it means to “obey in advance.”

[24:07] Host Micah Loewinger interviews democratic strategist Waleed Shahid), a co-founder of the Uncommitted Movement, about how the press has covered Arab and Muslim voters.

[37:34] Host Brooke Gladstone talks with historian Ira Chinoy), author of Predicting the Winner: The Untold Story of Election Night 1952 and the Dawn of Computer Forecasting)*, *about how newspapers in the 1800s, radio stations in the 1920s, and television in the 1950s helped to make election night the spectacle it is today. 

Further reading:

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