Growth in Policy Issues In the 1960s, strong political divisions among Americans were hardly nonexistent. Without doubt, growth in federal spending has translated into growth in contentious policy issues (for example, student-loan forgiveness) debated in Congress and media circles. But few people in the 1960s (and before) ever thought about gay marriage, transgender bathroom rights, defunding the police, and late-term abortion—to name several contemporary hot-button policy issues. No one should be surprised if an increase in the number of candidates gives rise to a greater spread in the candidates’ positions. The growth of issues provides increased opportunities for ideological and partisan divisions among television news audiences and their newscasters.

Source: CNN September 04, 2023 15:03 UTC