Re “Sycophantic media” (Your Views, April 9): Traditionally, most citizens from the right and left stayed close to the center of the political spectrum. Now, the two sides have pulled away from that center, closer to the extreme ends of their wings. This transformation threatens democracy as lawmakers become less compromising and more obstructing. Without compromise, the work of legislatures does not get done.
The television cable news networks CNN, Fox News and MSNBC caused this calamity. They thrive on the hostility they create with their political indoctrination.
Former President Donald Trump capitalizes on this polarization. To the saying, “There is no such thing as bad press,” the Trump corollary has evolved: “All bad press about The Donald is good press.” The former president uses the negative press to portray himself as an embattled crusader against “the swamp” and “the deep state.” His faithful disciples at Fox News amplify and repeat this until they make the slant the news.
The “liberal press” provides a service for Trump. The more they fuss about him, the more they fortify his victim spin and endear his base to him. Do the network executives know this? Of course. As Jay Moore pointed out, they do this for money.
The country would benefit if the citizens turned off the cable news and read newspapers. The quantity of real news might surprise them.
Steve Bailey, Richmond