I find this fascinating; my first dud career job was actually in broadcasting. I was a TV Station control room guy and News Van Driver. ( but extremely disappointing pay
)
I think projects like this are extremely important and the effects of pervasive Media Technology on the public need to be discussed.
We've been having issues before all this with Talk Radio asshats like Rush Limbaugh or Alex Jones or Michael Savage that get listeners super woundup, stressed, pissed off, and just very reactionary. These audiences were primed and set for the arrival of FOX News.
Not that this is just a right wing thing, but I think it does seem stronger on the right, especially from mixing with Evangelicalism.
I think in Social Media, feedback loops can be created. News Anchors could talk about a candidate and their chances of winning...... but by doing so..... are they influencing their chances of winning with their coverage of their chances of winning? Even going so far as to be the Moderators of Debates which they later do News Stories on?
I dunno.... Media Nerd Rant Tangent, but just glad anytime to see this topic explored and it's sad amazing technology is in the hands of idiots.