Americans Tune Out Political News Due to Exhaustion
In a bustling city like New York, where the streets are always alive with the latest news, Americans are starting to tune out. Ziad Aunallah, a 45-year-old Democrat from San Diego, is one of many who have decided to take a break from the constant barrage of political updates.
“People are mentally exhausted,” Aunallah shared. “Everyone knows what is coming, and we are just taking some time off.”
Survey Data Confirms Public Sentiment
Television ratings and a recent poll conducted by the Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research echo Aunallah’s sentiments. The survey revealed that about two-thirds of American adults have felt the need to limit their consumption of political news due to overload. While some are also cutting back on news about overseas conflicts, the economy, or climate change, it’s politics that stand out as the primary source of exhaustion.
Sam Gude, a 47-year-old electrician from Lincoln, Nebraska, shared that he found himself spending too much time watching election news on CNN and MSNBC before the presidential race. “The last thing I want to watch right now is the interregnum,” said Gude, a Democrat and not a supporter of President-elect Donald Trump.
Partisan Divide in News Consumption
The poll highlighted a noticeable difference between Democrats and Republicans when it comes to stepping away from political news. Approximately 7 in 10 Democrats expressed a need to take a break, compared to about 6 in 10 Republicans. However, even supporters of the winning candidate aren’t entirely immune to the fatigue, with a significant portion of Republicans also feeling the need to disconnect.
The Impact on TV Networks
The post-election landscape has seen a significant shift in prime-time viewership for major news networks. MSNBC and CNN have experienced a decline in ratings, while Fox News Channel, a favorite among Trump supporters, has seen an increase in viewership. This trend is not unfamiliar, as past election cycles have shown similar patterns of audience engagement post-election.
Looking Towards the Future
As MSNBC grapples with declining ratings and changes in corporate leadership, Americans are offering suggestions for how networks can regain their audience’s attention. Viewers like Kathleen Kendrick and Sam Gude are seeking more depth, variety, and less focus on partisan politics in their news coverage.
In a world where political news dominates the airwaves, Americans are making a statement by tuning out. Whether this trend will continue or if interest will rebound once the new administration takes office remains to be seen. For now, many are taking a well-deserved break from the relentless cycle of political news.
