Once again, CNN failed the American people. The “YouTube debates” were supposed to embody a revolution of online democracy. But they failed to broaden the argument around the issues or even truly grasp what online democracy is all about.
Last time CNN held a YouTube debate, I accused them of misrepresenting America’s youth:
[The debates] were targeted towards the youth in America and designed to bring out new viewpoints and presentations that don’t usually get airtime on mainstream media outlets. The videos chosen by CNN, however, failed to broaden the issues, and instead misrepresented the youth of America badly.
Tonight, I’m convinced CNN did worse than that. By heavily moderating the questions, and by deliberately choosing silly, fluffy, or offbeat videos to show the nation, CNN is reinforcing the old media idea that the Internet entertains, but does not offer real, serious discussion or insight.
Cross posted at The Seminal
Read More