13 May, 2019 00:30

'Packaged anger, just for you': Lewinski scandal was beginning of the end for American journalism

In a new 'On Contact' episode, host Chris Hedges and reporter Matt Taibbi dive into the roots of the decay of US journalism, which preys on prejudices and fear, pitting people against each other and paving the way for demagogues.

From Monica Lewinski to Hillary Clinton, the coverage of major news stories by the US media has grown increasingly strident, with cable channels no longer trying to project a picture of objectivity but "selling a story that makes people angry," Taibbi, an award-winning journalist and author, says.

The strategy has paid off, with producers of "packaged anger" coming out on top of the game. The trend that started with MSNBC and its nightly show on the Lewinski scandal has been perfected by Fox, which decided "to make Hillary Clinton the villain" in the run-up to the 2016 elections.

This endless pandering to people's preconceptions has fractured the public, bringing about the rise of demagogues such as US President Donald Trump.

Watch the whole two-part episode on RT.

Think your friends would be interested? Share this story!

You can share this story on social media:

Follow RT on