Qualitative perspective of the 2016 US presidential debate

Abstract

In a world where the thin line between media objectivity and political bias is almost disappearing, it is crucial to study the role of broadcast media, especially television, in the outcome of the 2016 United States presidential elections. Media, by trying to be objective, played an impactful role in shaping the result of the elections. Television projecting the Presidential debate between the candidates generated many terms such as Trumpism through headlines and breaking news. In addition to playing the role of gatekeepers, the media have framed the outcome of the elections in a different direction than it usually is; television debates were a source for Internet trolling and fake news spreading. This deconstruction of media hierarchy created a surprising outcome of Trump being president while all odds and poll results were against him. This process has broken a major chunk of the media credibility which led to the rise of data analysis companies such as Cambridge Analytica that are rapidly taking over. Media as we know it is not only responsible for transferring messages; the medium itself is an integral part of the message, especially in the U.S. elections.