Media complicit in rise of Donald Trump

Since the beginning of this long presidential campaign, political pundits have been trying to understand why so many voters are attracted to this unqualified and somewhat neofascist Donald Trump.

While it is right under the noses of the TV media, they have failed to highlight it. No wonder, because the media are playing a large role in the ascendance of Trump.

First, the media are interested in how many viewers they can attract. The more viewers, the more money from advertisers and thus the more money they make.

Second, the media attracts viewers through entertainment. No subject is immune from this perspective, no matter how important. Trump realized this, and what he has done is put on an unprecedented political entertainment program that includes making up stuff, inciting violence and attacking everyone from other Republican contenders to even the pope. He has received endorsements from Vladimir Putin to members of the KKK. Not surprisingly, the media have given him hundreds of hours of free TV time, which has helped him immeasurably and at the same time increased their coffers.

Instead of scratching their heads wondering how this could happen, the media should realize that they are complicit in this ugly affair.

This story was originally published March 23, 2016 at 6:00 PM with the headline "Media complicit in rise of Donald Trump."