Broken News
Why the Media Rage Machine Divides America and How to Fight Back
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Narrated by:
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Chris Stirewalt
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By:
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Chris Stirewalt
About this listen
A former Fox News political editor reveals how news organizations have succumbed to the temptation of “rage revenue” through slanted coverage that drives political division and rewards outrageous conduct.
Rage revenue-addicted news companies are plagued by shoddy reporting, sensationalism, groupthink, and brain-dead partisan tribalism. Newsrooms rely on emotion-driven blabber to entrance conflict-addled super users.
In Broken News, Chris Stirewalt, celebrated as one of America’s sharpest political analysts in print and on television, employs his trademark wit and insight to give readers an inside look at these problems. He explains that these companies don’t reward bad journalism because they like it, but because it is easy and profitable.
Take it from Stirewalt: As a top editor and election forecaster on Fox News’ decision desk during the 2020 election, he knows firsthand what happens when viewers (including the president of the United States) become more accustomed to flattery and less willing to hear news that punctures their bubbles.
Broken News is a fascinating, deeply researched, conversation-provoking study of how the news is made and how it must be repaired, with surprising takeaways about who’s to blame. Stirewalt goes deep inside the history of the industry to explain how today’s media divides America for profit. And he offers practical advice for how everyday readers, listeners and viewers can (and should) become better news consumers for the sake of the republic.
This is a book for those who care about our country—and want the news to do the news again.
©2022 Chris Stirewalt (P)2022 Center StreetListeners also enjoyed...
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"One of America’s most experienced and exemplary journalists has written an unsparing analysis of the dreadful consequences—for journalism and the nation—of “how the news lost a race to the bottom with itself.” Readers of Stirewalt’s indispensable, mind-opening book-as-warning should remember this: There actually is no such thing as rock bottom."—George F. Will
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Story
"Can you believe what Donald Trump said?" In Gaslighting America, Amanda Carpenter breaks down Trump's formula, showing why it's practically foolproof, playing his victims, the media, the Democrats, and the Republican fence-sitters perfectly. She traces how this tactic started with Nixon, gained traction with Bill Clinton, and exploded under Trump. Where some people see lies, Trump's fierce followers see something different. A commitment to winning at all costs: There is nothing he could say that would erode their support at long as it's in the name of taking down his political enemies.
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Right Winger Whines False Equivalency
- By B. D on 05-03-18
By: Amanda Carpenter
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Moyers on Democracy
- By: Bill Moyers
- Narrated by: Bill Moyers
- Length: 5 hrs and 22 mins
- Abridged
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People know Bill Moyers mostly from his many years of path-breaking journalism on television. But he is also one of America's most sought-after public speakers. His appearances draw sell-out crowds across the country and are among the most reproduced on the Web. Richly insightful, and alive with a fierce, abiding love for our country, Moyers on Democracy is essential listening.
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You can't help but think critically
- By Ida F. on 09-29-09
By: Bill Moyers
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Bannon
- Always the Rebel
- By: Keith Koffler
- Narrated by: William LeRoy
- Length: 5 hrs and 37 mins
- Unabridged
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To understand the Trump White House, you need to understand Steve Bannon: what's driving him, what his true role is, and what he's trying to accomplish on behalf of the American middle class. White House reporter Keith Koffler penetrates the fog surrounding the mysterious senior White House advisor, tracing Bannon's wild and distinctly American path to the White House in this first-ever honest biography of the controversial figure.
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The "real" Steve Bannon! Great read!
- By Amazon Customer on 12-20-17
By: Keith Koffler
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Arrogance
- Rescuing America from the Media Elite
- By: Bernard Goldberg
- Narrated by: Bernard Goldberg
- Length: 6 hrs and 11 mins
- Abridged
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In his #1 New York Times best seller, Bias, Emmy Award-winning journalist Bernard Goldberg created a national firestorm when he exposed the liberal biases of the so-called mainstream media. Now, in his new blockbuster, Goldberg goes even further. He not only takes on Big Journalism, but offers a twelve-step program to help the media elites overcome their addiction to bias.
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wow
- By Douglas on 11-11-03
By: Bernard Goldberg
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Why We're Polarized
- By: Ezra Klein
- Narrated by: Ezra Klein
- Length: 8 hrs and 32 mins
- Unabridged
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In Why We’re Polarized, Klein reveals the structural and psychological forces behind America’s descent into division and dysfunction. Neither a polemic nor a lament, this book offers a clear framework for understanding everything from Trump’s rise to the Democratic Party’s leftward shift to the politicization of everyday culture. America is polarized, first and foremost, by identity. Everyone engaged in American politics is engaged, at some level, in identity politics.
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Good as an intro, skip if you’re a wonk
- By Tony on 01-29-20
By: Ezra Klein
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Wingnuts
- How the Lunatic Fringe Is Hijacking America
- By: John P. Avlon, Tina Brown - foreword
- Narrated by: John P. Avlon, Tina Brown (foreword)
- Length: 6 hrs and 17 mins
- Unabridged
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Whats a wingnut? A wingnut is someone on the far-right or far-left wing of the political spectrum professional partisans, unhinged activists, and paranoid conspiracy theorists. Barack Obama campaigned as an antidote to the politics of polarization, promising to transcend the old divides of left and right, black and white, red states and blue. But in the first year of his presidency, he is presiding over an eruption of hate and hyper-partisanship that threatens to mock the promise upon which he was elected.
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Disturbingly disappointing
- By Steven on 02-20-10
By: John P. Avlon, and others
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Cowards
- What Politicians, Radicals, and the Media Refuse to Say
- By: Glenn Beck
- Narrated by: Ron McLarty
- Length: 10 hrs and 11 mins
- Unabridged
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As we approach the most important presidential election in America’s history, something has been lost among all of the debates, attack ads, and super- PACs - something that Americans used to hold in very high regard: THE TRUTH. The truth can no longer be something we hope for; it must be something we live. When courage prevails, cowards do not - and this book was written to ensure that’s exactly what happens.
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Guess what... Its by Glenn Beck!!
- By Joseph on 07-17-12
By: Glenn Beck
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Makers and Takers
- By: Peter Schweizer
- Narrated by: Johnny Heller
- Length: 5 hrs and 18 mins
- Unabridged
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In Makers and Takers, Peter Schweizer broadens his scope to examine the damaging effects of liberal philosophy on ordinary Americans. Drawing on national polls and academic studies, as well as the revealing testimony of liberals themselves, Schweizer shows that liberals are, on the whole, less honest, less generous, lazier, and more materialistic than their conservative counterparts.
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Excellent!
- By Eileen J. O'Connor on 03-08-16
By: Peter Schweizer
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The Corrosion of Conservatism
- Why I Left the Right
- By: Max Boot
- Narrated by: Max Boot
- Length: 7 hrs and 48 mins
- Unabridged
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Warning that the Trump presidency presages America’s decline, Max Boot, the political commentator, recounts his extraordinary journey from lifelong Republican to vehement Trump opponent. As nativism, xenophobia, vile racism, and assaults on the rule of law threaten the very fabric of our nation, The Corrosion of Conservatism presents an urgent defense of American democracy.
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Not an intellectual tour de force!
- By Wayne on 07-14-19
By: Max Boot
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They Don't Represent Us
- Reclaiming Our Democracy
- By: Lawrence Lessig
- Narrated by: Lawrence Lessig
- Length: 10 hrs and 31 mins
- Unabridged
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In They Don’t Represent Us, Harvard law professor Lawrence Lessig charts the way in which the fundamental institutions of our democracy, including our media, respond to narrow interests rather than to the needs and wishes of the nation’s citizenry. But the blame does not only lie with “them” - Washington’s politicians and power brokers, Lessig argues. The problem is also “us.”
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All Americans should read/listen to this.
- By Christopher W Catron on 03-22-20
By: Lawrence Lessig
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Every Man a King
- A Short, Colorful History of American Populists
- By: Chris Stirewalt
- Narrated by: Chris Stirewalt
- Length: 4 hrs and 38 mins
- Unabridged
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American populism has always been home to a fascinating assortment of charismatic leaders, characters, kooks, cranks, and sometimes charlatans who have led the charge of ordinary folks who have gotten wise to the ways of the swamp. Every Man a King tells the stories of America's populist leaders, from Andrew Jackson and Teddy Roosevelt to Ross Perot, Pat Buchanan, and Donald Trump. It is a rollicking history of an American attitude that has shaped not only our current moment, but also the long struggle over who gets to define the truths we hold to be self evident.
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Education delivered in a most entertaining way.
- By Snaps And Snippets on 09-17-18
By: Chris Stirewalt
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The Manipulators
- Facebook, Google, Twitter, and Big Tech's War on Conservatives
- By: Peter Hasson
- Narrated by: Andrew Eiden
- Length: 6 hrs and 20 mins
- Unabridged
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For better or for worse, Google and social media - “Big Tech”, collectively - have become the new public square. Unfortunately, this public square has a watchful referee standing behind them, ready and waiting to blow the whistle if they veer too far from the preferred narrative. Americans have given these companies enormous power to select the information they read, share and discuss with their neighbors and friends.
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Good Content....Run 1.2x Speed or You'll Go Crazy
- By Peter on 05-17-20
By: Peter Hasson
What listeners say about Broken News
Average customer ratingsReviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.
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- marc edge
- 05-02-23
This is outstanding!
This has to be one of the best written books of 2023! Precise and on point. Catering to neither the red side or the blue side but spot on about our society and news. Two thumbs up.
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- Jeffrey B. Patterson
- 11-01-22
A must-read for every news junkie.
An exceptional journalist telling the sad truth of the demise of the news business model.
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- Gregory M. Kline
- 12-26-22
Fantastic Book!
There is no greater documentarian of the problems of modern media than Chris Stirewalt. With brilliant insight and rare earnestness he describes the state of America's current toxic political media and how we got here. Better yet, he offers common sense solutions with the passionate sincerity of someone who loves journalism and this great American republic. A must read for anyone left or right.
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- Jim Ost
- 03-06-23
An Experienced Reporter's Cure For Sick News
Chris does a great job of explaining how we have ended up in the news hell in which we are currently suffering, and also offers practical ways to get out.
I especially appreciate his reverence for the truth and for those who engage in true reporting.
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- Jack Yancy
- 09-21-22
An enjoyable analysis of a serious in our country
A very interesting and enjoyable book. While I have grown up following politics, I am saddened by the tone of the political debate over the last 10-15 years between fellow citizens and equally frustrated at how the media on both sides intentionally adds fuel to the fire. Stirewalt does a great job pointing out how assumptions across the political spectrum cause people to assume the worst about those who disagree with them. If more people read and digested the themes outlined in this book, we would have a country that is more civil, more respectful, and more focused on policy discussions to help move our country forward. I always appreciate seeing Stirewalt on TV and listening to him on various podcasts, and this book (also read by the author) does not disappoint.
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- Robert V. Vecchi
- 08-25-22
Fair, balanced...and engaging
this book clearly explains how the media became so dysfunctional without turning into a diatribe
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- Dan Brinkman
- 08-25-22
How we got to here
Great breakdown by Stirewalt of the history of the news media how the incentives have changed over time, how technology shaped the industry as well as how the parties have become warped to reward rage and extremism. For a weighty topic it’s a breezy listen and Chris does a great job narrating as well.
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- Cedric
- 09-17-22
Confirmation of how bad the Media slant has gotten
Shows how we are being
manipulated by most media sources . We are so consumed by partisan politics, and now most people identify with being in a political party over just being and American.
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- KENNETH
- 08-25-22
Stirewalt at his best!
What do you get when you combine Stirewalt's folksy style with his incredible insider knowledge of politics and the history and workings of American media? A joy to listen to, and a lot of fascinating insights to absorb.
He goes out of his way to be an equal opportunity critic or observer of every political party (from post-Revolutionary times and the Sedition Act through Ted Cruz's groveling to Tucker Carlson for referring to the January 6 criminals as "terrorists") as well as red and blue media outlets. Into this broad-casting of information and history as to the interaction between news agencies (paper, radio, tv and internet) and politics, and its resultant effects on America, Stirewalt shares his personal stories - from his first newspaper job at age 17 to his new gigs after departing from FoxNews. The Stirewalt "war stories" add street cred to the observations, and they coincide directly with so many of the recent trends we have all observed and that he explains from his insider viewpoint.
The news providing business has morphed from journalism to Post-journalism (the providing of information in a manner that will sate the emotional needs of the audience). This theme, which Stirewalt explains and explores so well, is considered along with another matching transition. Readers and receivers of news have morphed from being the customers (defined as those who paid for their news product) to being the "product" itself, which "free" news agencies now sell to advertisers. The clear and simple effect is that such news agencies must maximize the "products" (views) they can sell, so they must pander to the "readers," "listeners" and "watchers.". Stirewalt mixes his own experiences and downhome style in discussing such weighty topics with a smile and many laughs.
While his suggestions at the end to journalists and readers as to how to "fight back" are well-intended and accurate, he is probably preaching too much to the choir (to readers who already had the sense to read or listen to his book); and he is fighting the growing tide of profit and fame for journalists who maintain the status quo. ... But a boy from Wheeling, West Virginia can dream, can't he.
If you ever enjoyed listening to Chris Stirewalt, you will certainly enjoy and learn from listening to him read this book. I certainly did.
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1 person found this helpful
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- Lee N. Sheldon
- 08-29-22
It gave me needed perspective
I thank Chris Stirewalt for providing history and background regarding the news busIness. It's easy to criticize today's news. By reviewing how we got here in addition to today's challenges, it gave me the desire and the tools become a better new consumer.
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