CLEVELAND — The new media has created a fractured electorate in this presidential cycle, panelists at a Mississippi Today conversation hosted Delta State University. The 45-minute conversation centered on the role of “new media,” defined by panelists as digital and social media, in covering the 2016 presidential elections between Republican nominee Donald Trump and Democratic nominee Hillary Clinton. Walter Isaacson, CEO at the Aspen Institute and Andrew Lack, NBC News Chairman, were the panelists. They also discussed the widespread use of social media by both regular citizens and candidates. Jim Barksdale, the president of Barksdale Management Corp. and a member of the Mississippi Today board, moderated the session. Isaacson pointed out that there are many politically biased media outlets available to Americans today. This makes it easier for them to express their opinions than during previous presidential elections. Isaacson stated that there has been a sea change in society. “We are becoming more fractured, polarized and polarized.” Unfortunately, the discourse has become more poisonous. The upside is that it’s easy to find the person you want, and all the information is available.” Lack said that social media “presents a different set (in this election cycle) of facts.” “People are asking legitimate questions.” What’s the deal with Donald Trump wanting to build a wall? “What really happened to the Clinton Foundation when Secretary Clinton wasn’t there?” Despite new media’s rise, Lack pointed out that more people still watch NBC Nightly News than combined viewers for cable programs from Bill O’Reilly, Rachel Maddow, and Sean Hannity. Lack stated that he doesn’t believe having a choice is necessarily bad. “Democracy is affected when people aren’t informed… People want to hear both sides of the story. “The great thing about democracy is that people can get anything they want from different outlets,” Barksdale said, referring to the record low approval ratings of Trump and Clinton. She then asked the panelists how media companies may have contributed to those numbers. Isaacson stated that the low approval ratings of candidates have been due to the combination of natural vitriol created by the candidates and anonymity on social media. Isaacson stated that we need a system for authenticated identification. Isaacson said that more than half of the problem (low favorability ratings for candidates) is due to the anonymity of social networking… It can be deadly.” Isaacson also stated: “Let’s argue that it self-corrects. This is the beauty of American democracy. It is self-correcting. Einstein said that American democracy is a gyroscope. It self-corrects just when you think it will fall over.” We are celebrating our Spring Member Drive by supporting this work. You can make a regular donation to support us in this important work. Our reporters give a human face to policy’s impact on everyday Mississippians by listening more closely and understanding their communities. To ensure that our work is aligned with the priorities and needs of Mississippians, we are listening to you. Click the button below to let us know what you think. Republish this Story