information-technology-coevolution

The chapter examines the persistent duality of the media as both a flawed source of misinformation and a crucial democratic institution protected by free speech. It critiques government secrecy and media failures, especially post-9/11, while analyzing the complex biases journalists face, such as fairness and access bias, that distort reporting, particularly in war coverage. The chapter also traces the evolution of journalistic objectivity as a disciplined process, explores the symbiotic relationship between media and politics during the Cold War, and discusses how digital technologies are reshaping cognition, information consumption, and political polarization.