General Discussion
In reply to the discussion: This may upset some DUers but after Iraq it's hard to watch the same hacks talking [View all]Hortensis
(58,785 posts)that networks and shows coverage is styled and directed, with themes to be pushed, sometimes very dishonest ones. That these people are fallible and tend to adopt opinions within the groupthink prevailing around them.
And that the safest place for anyone who wants a successful, long-time career is in the middle of the groupthink pack.
Someone once wrote down and about the unofficial but very real "rules" for discussing Hillary during the presidential campaign, on daytime and weekend shows mainly. All were various ways to sabotage and make sure no viewer ever came away with a positive impression. It's probably still findable on the web somewhere.
Those who didn't engage in that systematic character and thus party assassination weren't invited back on MSNBC's and CNN's daytime shows in particular. (The evening shows have more knowledgeable audiences and more freedom.) Those who actually contradicted the stories were blackballed from talking headdom permanently, as one of the regulars on MSNBC was while I was watching (he called out a blatant lie about her on Morning Joe and that was the last I ever saw him, gone that morning). Of course, potential hosts who wouldn't follow the rules didn't have their own show then or ever.
This kind of stuff is easy to see for those who realize it's happening. And we want everyone to be able to.