What if C-SPAN is responsible for today's political chaos?

The Atlantic

The "Cable-Satellite Public Affairs Network" was showered with praise as it celebrated its 40th anniversary on Tuesday. Democrats and Republicans agree that C-SPAN has been a big positive for Americans, with former Speaker of the House Newt Gingrich saying the nation owes C-SPAN "a big vote of gratitude for empowering citizenship in the television age." But as David A. Graham points out, C-SPAN might not be so great. "Anytime so many people agree about something, there’s usually reason for suspicion," says Graham. "C-SPAN has much to recommend it, as these endorsements show. But like every silver cloud, it isn’t without a dark lining. Reporters and Congress-watchers love it for the convenience. Authors love it for the serious coverage of books. Cranky citizens love it for the opportunity to call in. But politicians love it for the chance to grandstand." Graham points out that Gingrich arrived as a congressman in Washington the same year C-SPAN debuted and quickly grasped the power of the new outlet. "The aim to speak without any editorial intervention and create a ruckus is hardly the exclusive preserve of Gingrich or the president," says Graham. "Politicians from both parties have recognized Gingrich’s genius and embraced his technique. Using C-SPAN, Gingrich sought to sidestep what he viewed as liberal bias in the mainstream media, but circumventing the press’s mediation means that politicians can also offer complete hogwash directly to the public without anyone stopping falsehoods."