Whos the Bad Guy? Politician, News Press, or Social Media?

Abstract

Ideally, news presses and social media platforms act like critical bridges between politicians and the public. However, politicians may exercise control over news presses while leveraging social media to manipulate public opinion, fueling what has become known as the outrage economy. Such dynamics contribute to a polarized society, wherein information is often driven by bias and divisiveness. Utilizing the "Four-Part Dynamics" model, this article offers a comprehensive analysis of the interaction between politicians, news presses, social media platforms, and the public. The analysis uncovers an information flow cycle, where social media and news presses are mere tools for politicians to spread biased information. It provides an overarching view of a system where media entities are not simply bridges but are actively utilized for strategic purposes by politicians. Unlike prior studies that focus on segmented connections, this research aims at understanding the entire system. It contributes to the field by delivering a nuanced understanding of an interconnected system of politicians, news press, social media platforms, and the public central to modern democratic societies. Moreover, actionable suggestions are provided to alleviate the issues of social polarization.